Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has revealed what he thinks will make Ross McCrorie a top player, but admits the Gers talent has been doing a magnificent job with the first team so far this term.
McCrorie, who made 25 appearances for the first team in all competitons last season, has been restricted to just under 200 minutes of playing time in the Premiership since the appointment of Gerrard in the summer, as the Liverpool legend takes a cautious apporoach with him.
However, the 20-year-old played the entirety of Rangers’ 1-0 defeat at Rapid Vienna in the Europa League, while also making appearances against Hamilton and Hibernian in recent league games.
Despite being a defensive midfield player by nature, McCrorie has lined up as a full-back and a central-defender during his time with the Gers in the past.
Gerrard, who has opted to include the youngster in his plans, revealed what he thinks will make McCrorie a top player in the future by insisting he has to work on his passing and other aspects, while being in possession of the ball.
“Out of possession, Ross has been fantastic, really good, counter-pressing, winning the ball back for us”, Gerrard told Rangers TV.
“Putting the fire out when counter-attacks are starting to begin and that is his real main strength.
“In possession he has done okay.
"There are certain little moments where we are trying to improve on him, we are working with him every day on his passing and receiving skills.
“For him to become a really, really top player, if he can really improve on that in possession thing, we will get him exactly where we want him."
Gerrard also admitted that McCrorie has done a magnificent job for Rangers in recent weeks and reiterated that he has to remain patient and grab his chance when it comes to him.
“But, he has come in and done magnificently well, we are really pleased with Ross", he added
“I think at times he has been a little bit frustrated with game time, but when you look at it, he is not far off his last season’s appearances, so he needs to just trust us and be patient and his game time will come.”
McCrorie has been a regular across various age groups for Scotland and is currently representing the national team at Under-21 level.
