What Michael O’Neill said about Rangers’s Jordan Jones in August amid Stoke interest

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Rangers midfielder Jordan Jones may be offered the chance to leave Ibrox on loan during the January transfer window, with the Daily Mail reporting that both Stoke City and Middlesbrough want the winger.

Jones – who has spent much of his time at Rangers out injured – has significant connections to both Championship clubs. He started his career at Boro and made one first-team appearance before being released.

Meanwhile, a move to Stoke would see Jones link up with a boss that he knows very well. Michael O’Neill handed the 25-year-old his international debut and will surely be considering Jones for Northern Ireland’s Euro 2020 play-off campaign next year.

And given comments that O’Neill made about Jones back in August, it is probably no surprise that the Potters have registered an interest in taking the wide-man on loan.

O’Neill suggested, in comments reported by the Daily Record, that he expected Jones to be a top player at Ibrox.

“It’s no surprise to me that Jordan has had a positive impact since he joined Rangers because he is a terrific player,” he said, as reported by the Record. “I was at the game at Ibrox earlier in the season when Rangers won 6-1 against Hibs and Jordan really had the supporters going every time he got the ball.

“That’s the excitement he gives you. I think he can keep doing that for Rangers and hopefully he can do that for Northern Ireland as well.

“The move to Ibrox is one that will give Jordan the opportunity to kick on. I think he can develop into a top, top player at Rangers.

“He is confident and positive and likes the big stage. The bigger the game the more Jordan seems to revel in it.”

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It would arguably be a surprise to see Rangers loan Jones out in January. But if he is going to be allowed to leave temporarily, sending him to Stoke may not be a bad move.

O’Neill clearly rates Jones extremely highly. And that may give the former Kilmarnock man a fantastic opportunity to get back up to speed after a lengthy spell out on the sidelines.

Steven Gerrard may decide he needs to keep Jones around. Rangers are battling on three fronts, so he should enjoy plenty of game-time.

But if he is allowed to leave on loan, letting him join Stoke could also prove inspired.