Steven Gerrard has insisted that Graham Dorrans is set for a major role at Rangers this season after making his comeback in midweek.
The midfielder, 31, was given a late substitute run-out in the 2-2 draw at Villarreal on Thursday in what was his first appearance for the club since May.
Gerrard explained how impressed he has been with Dorrans in training and is looking forward to him being a key man when he gets his fitness up to speed.
“Graham can play in any position in the midfield area,” said Gerrard, as quoted by the Scottish Sun. “He can get on the ball from the back four and you saw on Thursday the quality he can bring.
“He has followed the team home and away and he is desperate to come back in and be involved.
“I maybe threw the five- minute cameo on him in Spain, but I knew I could trust him because I had watched him and I had played against him for many, many years.
“He’s still not match-fit, but we’re going to accelerate him to get him up to speed in terms of minutes. That will be a challenge because we don’t have any friendlies, but we will try to arrange a closed-door game.
“There is no doubt having Graham available is a big plus for us. He has had issues with his knee and they maybe got in his head.
“But fingers crossed he has been pain-free the last couple of weeks and he has showed really good quality in training which he took into the game on Thursday night.”
OPINION
When fit and firing, Dorrans would not only be expected to challenge for a Rangers place, but be a regular starter. There is increased competition in central midfield this season following the arrival of midfield anchorman Lassana Coulibaly on a season-long loan. Ryan Jack, Andy Halliday and Scott Arfield, who prefers to play out wide, are also strong options in the central acres for Gerrard. The manager knows the strengths of the former West Brom and Norwich City star, who is good enough to have accumulated 142 Premier League appearances over the course of his career. Dorrans’ touch and distribution are significant qualities and he adds something different to the likes of Jack and Halliday in that he can score and create goals. His midfield runs and energy are a good counterbalance to the solidity and power of either Coulibaly or Jack. There is set to be strong competition for places when Dorrans has got miles back in his legs.