AFTER the anger, the disappointment and the bemusement had dissipated at Easter Road on Sunday, there would have been a sense of relief amongst those in Light Blue that the campaign had finally come to an end.

That wasn’t the case for Jordan Rossiter, though. For two years, he has been out of luck, and now he is out of games.

The return of the midfielder was one of the few positives for Rangers to take as they rounded off a remarkable, rollercoaster season with a 5-5 draw that saw them finish third in the Premiership standings once again.

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Rossiter may not have lasted beyond the 68th minute as a result of a crude, dangerous lunge from Scott Allan that left him requiring treatment before hobbling off.

But there was enough in his performance, including a fine strike to make it 3-2, to suggest he may, finally, be over the injury problems that have wrecked his Ibrox career to date.

“I really enjoyed being back, but I am a little bit disappointed that we didn’t manage to win the game,” Rossiter said.

“We spoke about weathering the storm at the start and we certainly didn’t do that. But the lads showed a lot of character to get back into the game.

“I think we said at the end of the game that we have been missing that a bit this season but we really showed it there. I thought the lads were superb but the goal at the end is a little bit disappointing.

“I probably didn’t enjoy [the goal] too much as we were still getting beat, but there was a lot of relief in the goal – more than enjoyment.

“I have had a tough time with injuries, everyone knows my injury record isn’t great. Hopefully, I can put that all behind me now.”

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The capture of Rossiter from Liverpool two years ago was seen as a coup for Rangers but neither Mark Warburton, Pedro Caixinha nor Graeme Murty were able to utilise him as intended.

Every step he has taken forward has seemingly been followed by two back but the challenges – both physical and mental – have been overcome at each stage.

Nobody at Ibrox, and certainly not the 21-year-old himself, will be getting carried away but there is hope that Rossiter can now look to the future.

He said: “I am not going to go into too much detail, but I did have an underlying problem which was causing other things.

“I couldn’t really get up to my best. I was coming back and then I was out again.

“But since the end of February, I have been fit. This has been the longest period since I came to Rangers that I have been fit so that is positive.

“Obviously, it is a bit disappointing to only get my chance in the last game of the season but I have been ready and waiting for it. Hopefully, I took that chance.

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“Everyone is different and there will be personalised programmes [over the summer]. I haven’t played as much as the other lads so I need to keep the momentum going and try and come back into pre-season flying.”

After spending several months out of action during his first season at Ibrox, Rossiter featured in both legs of the Europa League defeat to Progres Niederkorn, the League Cup win over Dunfermline and Premiership victory at Ross County in the opening weeks this term.

His ambitions of more regular action were quickly dashed, however, and it has been another long and difficult few months for the former Liverpool kid.

His start at Easter Road was only his 11th appearance in Light Blue but the fans that had such high hopes for him before the start of last season gave him plenty of support in the final stages of the current campaign.

Rossiter said: “I have come here to play football games and unfortunately my body hasn’t allowed me to do that. But the medical team have been absolutely first class, sorting me right out.

“It’s just about getting back to playing. That’s all I want to do, to be winning football matches and doing my best for the team and the fans.

“Listen, I think I just need to take it step by step. I need to keep doing the right things on and off the pitch.

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“I need to keep living my life right, which I feel I have been. I have just been unfortunate with a few niggles and knocks.

“Sometimes this happens in football, you know. You see a lot of young players getting certain injuries and things like that.

“I’m sure I’ll get back. The few years I have missed here, I am sure I will get back at the end of my career.”

When Rossiter reports for pre-season training next month, he will have another boss, his fourth at Ibrox, to try and impress.

In many ways, he is already one step ahead of his team-mates, though, as Steven Gerrard begins his managerial career with the Gers.

The Anfield legend wasn’t present for any of the final three games of the campaign but Rossiter hopes Gerrard can make a big impact as he looks to hit the ground running in Light Blue.

“To be honest with you, no,” he said when asked if Sunday was a chance to impress Gerrard. “We just knew we had to win to get any chance of second.

“Jimmy [Nicholl] and JJ (Jonatan Johansson) spoke to us and said what’s gone is gone. It has been a disappointing season and everyone knows that.

“Jimmy and JJ said they wanted to restore pride and for us to get second place. That’s all we could do and the fans deserve better than what we have done.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t make it so it is a little bit disappointing in the end.

“I think every club need stability. In the longer run that is only going to help us. But I think the players really need to get on board, like we have done with all the managers.

“It is a good group of lads. I can’t really put my finger on where it has gone wrong but hopefully the lads will go into pre-season flying.”