Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler once heralded Jordan Rossiter as the new Steven Gerrard during his progress through the ranks at Anfield.

Such comparisons, while meant in the most complimentary and well-meaning way, can often prove a millstone around the neck of a young prospect.

But Rossiter is flattered – if a little bemused - to be likened to the legendary midfielder, and he tries to live up to his example in more ways than one.

Not only did Rossiter learn from Gerrard on the football field, but also in how to carry himself away from the pitch.

The time that Liverpool skipper gave up to help young hopefuls like himself has stuck with him, and that’s why he was delighted to pay a visit to a Rangers Soccer School at last week.

Judging by the kids’ faces as Rossiter took time to answer their questions and sign autographs, it seems that his visit proved just as inspirational to them as Gerrard’s attention was to him as a youngster on Merseyside.

“It’s brilliant to do things like this and all the kids have got a smile on their face,” Rossiter said.

“That’s the main thing - that they can enjoy their football during the summer and be part of a wonderful community event that Rangers are putting on here.

“It inspires you when you’re a kid and players come to see you, that’s where you want to get to and work hard for, so it shows them a little light at the end of the tunnel when you come down here.

“I looked up to all of the Liverpool players when I was younger, they’ve all been there and they’re experienced so you can learn off every single one of them.

“I’d definitely say in particular though the likes of Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard were obviously great with me.

“I don’t take much notice of comparisons to Gerrard or think about it too much because I’m my own player and I’ve just got to work hard on my own game.

“If I can have half the career that a player like Steven Gerrard has had though then I’ll have had a great career.”

Despite being at Anfield from the age of nine, Rossiter wasn’t always a dyed-in-the-wool Red. He was actually brought up as an Everton fan, and idolised a certain former Rangers defender during his spell at Goodison Park.

“When I was young I really looked up to Davie Weir,” he said. “I’ve always liked him as a player and he was great for Everton.

“He’s going to be great for me here and will really help me to come on.

“Football is mad, when I found out he was the assistant to Mark Warburton then I couldn’t wait to get up here.

“The gaffer has been brilliant and he’s shown a bit of faith in me by bringing me up here. I really think he will bring me on and he’s brilliant with the lads around the training ground and I really can’t speak highly enough of him.

“It’s the same with Davie Weir and all the other staff, they’ve all been brilliant.

“I’ve settled in perfectly and all the lads are great in the changing room, and the staff have been great and have really helped me to settle in.

“Obviously the fans have been great as well. There are a lot of similarities between Glasgow and Liverpool which I can see already.

“The standard was really high at Liverpool obviously, but it’s just as high here.

“I can see the lads every day that they’re technically, physically and mentally strong, and I can only learn off of players like that.”

A home draw with Hamilton last week was not the start to the league season that Rangers were hoping for, or expecting.

Rossiter came on late on in that game, but impressed on his first start in the Betfred Cup win over Peterhead in midweek.

He is hoping that he can play a part as Rangers try to get their first league win at Dens Park this afternoon, and is confident that the Ibrox squad is strong enough to challenge for the title this season.

Celtic captain Scott Brown caused a stir by disagreeing with that assessment last week, but Rossiter says that the Rangers camp aren’t perturbed by any barbs coming their way from across the city.

“None of the lads really take much notice of that to be honest,” he said. “We’re not worried that he hasn’t mentioned us as contenders.

“We’re quietly confident - it’s football and nothing is beyond us. We’re going into the season strong and full of confidence which we have to be on the back of a promotion.

“All the lads are looking forward to the challenge and we’re confident we can have a good season together.

“All over the pitch from one to eleven we’re strong, but it won’t just be eleven players that will win you the league, it will be the full squad.

“I think that’s what the gaffer is really trying to hammer home to us, that it’s going to be a full squad that can get us to our goal at the end of the season.”