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Glasgow Rangers boss Steven Gerrard says Kemar Roofe is yet to hit 100 percent for the Ibrox side, despite his impressive displays since joining the Premiership club.
The 27-year-old linked up with Rangers in August for a reported £ and, to date, he has made seven appearances, scoring three goals.
The best of those three came in Thursday’s Europa League win over Standard Liege, a jaw-dropping delivery from just behind the halfway line to make it 2-0 to the visitors.
Roofe was pushed out to the flank as he tried to get away from three opposition midfielders and, with nowhere to go, unleashed an audacious effort which dipped into the net.
Speaking ahead of the Premiership meeting with Livingston, however, Gerrard said Roofe isn’t guaranteed a spot in the starting XI, simply because he’s not fully match fit.
“We need to get Kemar up to speed,” the Gers boss is quoted by the as saying. “I don’t think we have had him at 100 percent yet.
“Everyone is expecting me to plunge him into every game now because of the goal, but that won’t be the case.
“We will treat him with care and get him up to speed at the right time. When he is ready, he will come back in.”
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Prior to his arriving at Rangers, Roofe hadn’t played a competitive game since December 27 last year when he picked up an injury playing for Anderlecht.
In addition, the former Leeds ace has been out of action recently due to a calf injury, so that has to be taken into account too.
It makes sense for Gerrard to remind people that, although the summer signing did score a sensational goal, his match fitness remains an issue and as such it has to be managed.
However, it’s also exciting to hear that the Ibrox contingent and fanbase hasn’t yet seen the best of Roofe, despite his “not best” being superb.