Jamie Ness on improving physically and staying in the team

[Boab 73]

By DEREK McGREGOR

Published: Today

Jamie Ness made great strides for Rangers last season.

That's literally the long and short of it.

Exciting midfield prospect Ness really shone for Walter Smith's champions without knowing one leg was longer than the other.

It's now why he believes his breakthrough campaign was dogged by injury frustration.

Ness stamped his ability over a debut season, which included two stunning displays against Celtic.

Agonisingly, though, his season ended on April 16 - and since then he's visited German specialist Hans Muller Wohlfahrt.

What Ness was told shocked him, but also filled him with hope.

The 20-year-old fans' favourite - whose efforts earned him a bumper new deal until 2015 - said: "I'm just back from seeing Dr Wohlfahrt in Munich.

"I've got some things to do and things to work on. Hopefully that will be me over the problems.

"They think I've got one leg longer than the other but I've got an insole now and hopefully that will take care of the problem.

"I've also got exercises to do. It's created general muscle problems for me, including my back and hamstring. Everything's been a bit out of balance. I think that's why I was getting so many muscle injuries.

"It's taken quite a while to be detected, also because I've still been growing. I'm just happy that it's hopefully been resolved and I'll be able to push on and not worry about the injuries.

"It was more kind of injection treatment that Dr Wohlfahrt did with my back. I also saw a chiropractor there.

"Inter Milan centre-back Lucio was there at the same time as me while I think Michael Owen has also visited him in the past.

"The fact I've been able to see him has been great, I've appreciated Rangers being able to arrange that." Ness confessed it was torture having to sit out Gers' phenomenal title run-in when they clinched three-in-a-row.

He said: "I think when you're not playing you just turn into a fan. It was great to be at the games when we had that run going and kept the momentum up to win the title."

Ness has no fears about his ability to break into the side next term - even if new boss Ally McCoist has £10million to spend.

He also reckons that fellow Ibrox babes Kyle Hutton and Gregg Wylde can remain involved. Ness said: "Danny Wilson was able to come in when we still had a big squad, John Fleck too.

"It shows the young boys that if they're good enough they are going to get their chance, no matter how big the squad is or however much money there is to spend.

"Hopefully that's the case. That will be up to Ally McCoist to decide but I think I've shown enough when I came into the team that it wasn't too much for me and I handled it well."

Meanwhile, Gers youth chief Jimmy Sinclair reckons Ness would've been in the Scotland squad for the upcoming Carling Nations Cup if he'd been fit.

He said: "The manager said to me in the course of the season that he fully expected Jamie Ness to be playing for Scotland before the end of the year. I honestly believe if Jamie had been free of injury that would have been the case. His performances were very mature."

Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3590781/Happiness.html#ixzz1Ms4J77gq

[Chuck_Fickens 425]

I can't wait to see what he's really made of next season.

[johngossa 9]

hes going to tear them lot a new one next season

[nvager 498]

Great potential, but needs to get a good bit stronger and fitter. He struggles to last 60 mins and is injury prone just now. If he corrects the physical problems he could be a real star.

[gunslinger 270]

hes going to be atop player if he can get physically right.

lets hope this works out for him .