FOOTBALL fans are a notoriously fickle bunch and Jordan Jones could see both sides of the Kilmarnock support in the coming months.

Up until January 5, there would have been few at Rugby Park that would have had a bad word to say about the winger. That soon changed, however.

Nobody should have been surprised that Jones put pen-to-paper on a pre-contract deal with Rangers but his Twitter comments that evening provoked unfriendly fire from within his own support.

A Tweet which read: ‘Unbelievably proud day for me and my family, I’ve waited for this moment for a long time and today is a dream come true!’ seems innocuous enough on the face of it but the sign-off of #WATP and a Union Flag emoji was enough to spark a backlash.

A thank you to Kilmarnock for the chance they gave him when he found himself out of the game and an acknowledgement of the support he has had at Rugby Park wasn’t enough to placate his detractors and critics. He had gone from hero to zero.

Many went to the extreme and stated that they never wanted Jones to pull on their strip again, while some wanted the 24-year-old sold off to Rangers at the first opportunity.

The chances of either of those things happening were slim, though. Boss Steve Clarke was never going to just dispense with the services of one of his key players, while Rangers are happy for their Bosman signing to remain in Ayrshire for the remainder of the campaign.

Jones was clearly caught up in the moment and the emotion of signing for Rangers and the Northern Irish international meant to harm or disrespect to the club and the fans that have helped him relaunch his career.

But it is understandable why Killie punters were as upset and as angry with their star man. To them, Jones’ Tweet was a slap in the face.

There was a real chance that the forward could find himself targeted by home supporters but the press conference that he and Clarke held last week took some of the sting out of the situation.

It would have been easy for Kilmarnock to keep Jones off media duties for the foreseeable future, perhaps even the rest of the season, and for Clarke to straight bat any questions about a player that was firmly in the spotlight.

Both were open and honest, though, and Killie’s strategy of dealing with the issue at the first opportunity seemingly paid off.

Jones struck the right conciliatory tone with his messages and reaffirmed his commitment to the Killie cause as Clarke’s side bid for a lofty Premiership finish and extended Scottish Cup run this term.

And the 55-year-old put any outspoken critics of Jones firmly on the back foot by insisting: "If fans boo Jordan, then they're booing me as well because, if I select Jordan, then they're criticising my selection.”

The decision to start Jones for Saturday’s Scottish Cup win over Forfar was a fairly straightforward one for Clarke and the winger was back on social media following the 2-0 victory. His message this time included: ‘Big Thankyou to the fans who gave me a warm reception I really appreciate it’.

But the biggest test of the feeling towards Jones will come on Wednesday night when Rangers make the trip to Rugby Park. It will also be an insight into his mentality and whether he can perform for Killie while the away support keep a far closer eye on their new signing.

Clarke will never be dictated to in terms of his selection and if he hands Jones a jersey he will do so because he feels his player is in the right frame of mind to face the side he will join in the summer.

The Premiership clash is a chance for Jones to show Rangers what he is capable of but, more importantly, it is an opportunity to allay any lingering fears over his application for Killie.

Surely there are no fans that are that entrenched in their view that they wouldn’t celebrate Jones’ next goal? Or remember his contribution fondly if he can help Kilmarnock finish the season in the top three, or perhaps even with some silverware?

Jones and Kilmarnock have been good for each other, there is no doubt about that. Now they both owe it to themselves and the other to part ways on the best terms possible.