Rossiter thankful to Warburton and Rodgers

Rangers midfielder Jordan Rossiter is grateful for the faith Mark Warburton has shown in him - but admits he has just as much to thank Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers for.

The former Liverpool youngster was handed his Anfield debut by the new Hoops manager back in September 2014.

Rossiter, 19, made only a handful of appearances for the Reds but appreciates everything his former boss did for him in their time on Merseyside.

Fate has conspired to ensure that when they next meet, it will likely be on September 10 at Celtic Park, with the former mentor and student residing on opposite sides of the Old Firm divide.

But the England Under-19 player is looking forward to the reunion.

Rossiter said: "Brendan Rodgers has managed in the Premier League and is obviously a good coach. He has got his way of playing but we've got a good way of playing as well. It's going to be a good battle. It will be interesting.

"I owe him a lot. He brought me into the team at Liverpool and gave me a chance.

"But obviously I owe a lot to the gaffer here too. Mark has shown faith in me to bring me up here and I'm really looking forward to playing under him.

"We want to beat every team in this league, especially Celtic with them being Rangers' main rivals.

"But that doesn't change the fact I owe Brendan a lot. I was only young at the time at Liverpool and learning my way but now I'm looking forward to coming up against his side.''

Rossiter made an immediate impression on his Gers debut as a second-half substitute against Stranraer on Tuesday as he launched himself into a series of full-blooded tackles.

But the teenager admits he has more to do if he is to convince Warburton he is ready to claim a regular starting slot.

The midfielder, speaking ahead of Saturday's friendly clash with Burnley at Ibrox, said: "In training every day I have to improve and I have a long way to go before I am a first-team regular.

"I just need to keep my head down working and hopefully I will get a chance in the future to really show what I can do.

"The competition is massive, it is good for the team and we are all working to the same end goal this season and that is to finish as high up the league as possible. Competition for places is only going to help that.

"I don't add anything massively different, we are a team, we are working together and I like to get about the pitch.

"I like to work hard, get my tackles in and get the team playing and the other players bring a lot to the team as well.

"Rangers are just as big a club as Liverpool and I want to come up here and try and get as many minutes as I can.''

Having been taken under the wing of former Anfield skipper Steven Gerard during his Liverpool days, Rossiter is looking to gleam even more valuable lessons from fellow Gers recruits Joey Barton and Niko Kranjcar.

"Joey is a brilliant player; he has been great to me and really helped me out since I've been here,'' said the youngster.

"He has played at the top level for years and the likes of Kranjcar and also Andy Halliday can help me out and bring me on.

"They are always there for advice but it is more watching them on the training field and around the training ground. That is where you learn the most.

"They are massive players in the game with big personalities which is the same as Steven Gerrard in the past but that is what you need in a dressing room and it will only help us.''