THE quality was never in doubt for Ryan Lowe. He was right to have no fears over the quantity, either.

The Bury boss knew what standard of player he had signed when he clinched a deal for Jordan Rossiter, and he ranks the loan move amongst the most important he completed during a season that saw the Shakers win promotion from League Two.

There was a risk in signing a player that had played just 11 games in two terms. Rossiter allayed them day after day, week after week, though, as he turned out 17 times for Lowe’s side.

The Scouser is thankful to friend and Rangers boss Steven Gerrard for allowing Rossiter to move to Gigg Lane. It was an arrangement that certainly paid off for all parties.

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“Jordan was fit as a fiddle when he came in,” Lowe said. “He was subbed on in the first game at half-time and after that he didn’t look back.

“He was in the team every week, he trained every day and didn’t miss anything. He was phenomenal and for a guy who has had injuries and niggles, for me to get him on the pitch week in week out was great.

“There were times when I wanted to rest Jordan because I felt he had played so many games and I was asking him if he was OK. He said ‘I’m fine’ and he wanted to be in every training session and every game.

“I think a lot of credit has to go to Jordan for his determination and he must have picked up about ten Man of the Match awards in the 17 games that he played for us. He was instrumental, he was terrific and what a lad, a real hard working character.

“Obviously at Rangers, Jordan was desperate to play for them. I don’t know what his full injury record was before he came to me, but he was fit, very fit, when he came to us and maybe a bit unfortunate that he didn’t get into Stevie’s plans.

“But there are quality players around and it is difficult at a club like Rangers. Jordan just wanted to play football, he was desperate to play. He couldn’t wait to come and play for us.

“For me, the only way for Jordan Rossiter now is upwards.”

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When Rossiter made his Liverpool debut aged 17, he was touted as the man to go on and follow in Gerrard’s illustrious footsteps at Anfield.

The first two years of his Rangers career saw his progress stunted as he spent month after month battling for fitness and a chance to impress.

After proving his class at Bury, he could get another shot at Ibrox as he looks to kick-start a career that has unfortunately stalled too often.

“Jordan is still only a baby, he turned 22 while he was with us, and he is a phenomenal player and a great lad,” Lowe said. “You don’t get to where he has got to with Liverpool and England and then to Rangers without being a great player.

“Jordan Rossiter is Jordan Rossiter and I said this to him, we had a lot of chats and he is a great lad. I said he was tagged with ‘the new Steven Gerrard’, but nobody is going to be the new Steven Gerrard.

“I don’t think you’ll see another like Steven Gerrard in a Liverpool shirt for the next 20 years in all honesty. It was unfair to give Jordan that tag just because he was a Scouser and he was representing Liverpool.

“But what Jordan done for us, the way he played and the style he played, was unbelievable.

“We showed him a few clips early on of how we play and he was terrific. For me, Jordan can play in the Premiership all day long and he could play in the Championship because he has got everything in his locker.

“If he is not going to be for Rangers, he will certainly be for someone in the English leagues.”

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Rossiter may have made the most of his time away from Ibrox, but he faces a daunting task on his return.

Gerrard is not short of midfield options and competition for places is fierce. It is a challenge Rossiter is capable of rising to next term.

Lowe said: “That is down to Stevie and a question for Stevie but I think he has been pleased with him and I have been in contact with Stevie throughout. Every time he gets Man of the Match I am texting Stevie and he was chuffed for the lad.

“But that is a question now for Stevie. He is going to have a look at his squad for next season in terms of what he wants and who he wants. I can’t speak on behalf of Stevie, but Jordan was terrific for me and he is a Rangers player. Why can’t he go and break into their team?

“He played week in week out for us and was terrific and been talked about down here for a few months since being with us. I would like to think he can certainly go and stamp his authority in the Rangers squad, but whether he plays week in week out that will be up to Stevie.”