Matt Crooks wants loan move to secure his Rangers future

MATT CROOKS has decided he needs a spell away from Rangers to secure his future at Ibrox.

The 22-year-old has already left one massive club during his career and is it determined to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Niggling injuries have limited Crooks to just three games for the Light Blues since arriving in Scotland.

He’s now fully fit and believes it’s time to get games under his belt.

The 6ft 4in midfielder said: “The plan would be to go away, play a lot of football and get back to being the player I was before coming to Rangers from Accrington in the summer.

“I want to be at a big club and if I’m doing well at Rangers, it’s the best scenario for all parties.

“But if you’re at a little club and you’re playing – you get more out of it than twiddling your thumbs at a big club like this.

“I can’t emphasise enough how honoured I feel to be here. But ultimately, I just want to play.

“If that means going elsewhere, it’s something I have to do. The most enjoyment I get is from playing games.

“I’ve had a conversation with the manager. I got injured at the start of March so it’s been a long time since I played any games.

“I’ve had the same disagreement with myself over and over again. I don’t want this club to think I’m giving anything up.

“But at the same time, I’ve been fully fit for two months and haven’t played.”

Crooks is determined to make it with Rangers.

Being dumped by his boyhood idols seven years ago was a major setback, but he clawed his way back up the football ladder via Huddersfield, Accrington and loan spells at Halifax, Radcliffe Borough and Hartlepool.

He explained: “I was at Manchester United until I was 15, when they released me.

“I cried my eyes out because I’m a United fan.

“Moving here to Rangers felt like I was getting back to that level, in terms of the size of club.

“When I was at United, I took it for granted. I don’t want to do the same here, I’m not happy to just stroll along.

“I need to take full advantage of this place and use it to the best of my ability.”

Fighting back from injury isn’t a new experience for Crooks.

He said: “Is it easier because I’ve been through a period like this before? It depends what day it is.

“I’ve damaged both of my ankles in the past. I had reconstruction on my left one and cartilage work on the right.

“I strap them up every day and just get on with it. They’re fine.

“At Accrington, when I was injured for the first few months, it wasn’t great there. I don’t think that helped me.

“We only had a council gym to use and one physio in a portakabin. So it was slightly different to Rangers.

“They didn’t realise the impact of my injury until two months in. I don’t want to say too much, but it was challenging.”

There’s been a lot of debate about his best position and he’s happy to settle that.

He said: “I see myself as a midfielder as opposed to being a defender. That’s where I want to play.

“I’m not just a sitter. I like to drive forward with the ball.

“I put pressure on myself to be fit and playing well.

“More than anything, that’s what annoys me the most at the moment – knowing I can do better.”