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Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Kemar Roofe couldn't take constant Rangers questions anymore as he reveals the story of woe fans don't know
The Jamaica international had been playing through the pain barrier for the Ibrox cause. It got to the point where Kemar Roofe just couldn't take it any more. The questions were constant and it was the same one over and over again. 'When will you be back fit?' That's all the Rangers fans - and staff - wanted to know. It was his third season at the club, working firstly under Gio van Bronckhorst and then Michael Beale. Previously, the striker had been Gers' top scorer in their 2021 title triumph. The following year, he'd scored another 16 goals in 40 appearances - and helped them get to the Europa League Final in Seville. But the truth is, the Jamaica international had been playing through the pain barrier for the Ibrox cause. Roofe was taking injections and disguising injuries in a desperate bid to win silverware for the club. Even in that Europa Final defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt, he was in AGONY while scoring Gers' fifth penalty in the shoot-out. So it's no wonder the 2022/23 campaign was a miserable one when, at times, he couldn't even bear to watch games at Ibrox for fear of being bombarded with queries on his fitness. He managed just six games for Rangers that year, scoring twice. One of those goals was a vital winner against Aberdeen in the League Cup semi-final - only for Roofe to then damage his shoulder and spend more time on the sidelines. Roofe endured tough times at Rangers through injury. But he insists it was largely due to him putting his body on the line for the club - and says he has no regrets. In the second part of Record Sport's exclusive interview with the former Rangers front-man, he said: 'That 2022/23 season was annoying. 'Because I had kept playing through injuries, I never had a period of time where I could just strip it back to basics. 'I didn't get the chance to go through all the steps and stages of rehab to get 100 percent fit. 'I was coming back sooner than I should have - just because I didn't want to miss any more games. 'I played games for Rangers when I had injury issues. And it was only a matter of time before my body couldn't take it any more. 'I got silly injuries. I came off the bench against Aberdeen in that semi-final to score the winner. 'But then I fell on my shoulder and tore the ligaments. How can you predict those things? 'I should have had an operation which would have been three or four months out. 'Instead, I just strapped it up, took injections and played with it. I was effectively playing with one shoulder. 'These little things have a knock-on effect on the rest of your body. 'The amount of times I got injured just to play and win - I sacrificed myself to win games and I'd never change that. 'If I took the correct time out, I wouldn't have achieved certain things or scored certain goals for Rangers. 'I wouldn't have made certain finals. 'When I eventually did it and had my hip operation, I hardly played any games. 'So it's a Catch 22. Do you take the time out and miss games or keep trying to go through it? 'It got to the point where I HAD to have surgery. 'Thankfully, my big strength is my mental strength and handling disappointments. 'I use it to fuel me. The only thing I hated and struggled with was when people kept asking me: 'When are you going to back'? 'That's when I started not going to Ibrox and I started just watching the games at home. 'I was trying to avoid people and those questions.' That campaign might have gone better for Roofe if he hadn't been so determined to play in the Europa League Final a few months earlier. He had scored the extra-time winner against Braga in the quarter-final that was vital in getting Rangers to Seville. But an injury against Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final win at Hampden meant he was a major doubt. Incredibly, Roofe made it on to the bench against Eintracht and was introduced late on. He set up a golden chance for Ryan Kent to win it but the winger couldn't convert - then he stepped up in pain to score in the spot-kick defeat. Roofe loved the European nights at Ibrox more than anything and he's still devastated he didn't get a winner's medal from that sensational run to the final. He said: 'I was just returning from an LCL knee injury. 'I rushed back to make the final but every time I kicked the ball I was in agony. 'I didn't really train before Seville. I was in a lot of pain. 'My brain knew I was going to be sore before I received the ball. Even taking that penalty was painful. 'I scored but it meant nothing because we didn't win. 'That run in 2022 was special. For me personally, playing in Europe is just the best. 'It's a different feeling to anything else, especially at Ibrox. 'The atmosphere, the buzz, everything about those games - it's hard to explain. 'You can only understand it if you're actually on the pitch playing in it. I'll never forget it. 'We just kept going that year with the fans behind us. 'The only disappointment was getting to Seville, having a really good chance to win - but then losing it. 'We probably won't ever have that chance again. 'I'm just gutted that we couldn't take advantage. 'I was put on for the last few minutes but I felt if I'd been given more time, I could have had a bigger influence on the game.' When Roofe was fit, he thrived in the big games. His Rangers career had got off to a flying start with a league title win under Steven Gerrard - and an Old Firm brace in a 4-1 victory over Celtic at Ibrox. Injuries curtailed him after that but he still relished derbies against Gers' bitter rivals. And even after having played for the likes of Leeds United and Anderlecht, Roofe says no atmosphere comes close to an Old Firm. He said: 'The Old Firm games were even more special than I thought they would be. 'They were just hectic, 100mph, you got no rest. 'There was football being played but it was just so quick and intense. 'Everyone has to be at it in those games. And the noise levels are incredible. 'I like watching games I've played when I get home to listen to what the commentators are saying. 'But I remember putting Sky on after one of the Celtic games and I couldn't hear what they were saying because the fans were so loud - even on TV. 'I've never experienced that before. 'The Old Firm games and European nights were the best atmospheres I've ever played in during my career. 'Leeds was good as well at Elland Road. But the extra 20,000 or so at Ibrox really makes a difference. 'The way I play football is that I'm all in. I was gripped by Rangers from minute one. 'I can never play half-hearted or not try to win every game. 'So for me, that atmosphere and the relationship with the Rangers fans was ideal for me. It was the perfect match. 'They took to me and I'm grateful for that. I think they appreciated the way I played and the effort I put in.' Roofe's Rangers career ended a year ago with a seven-minute cameo from the bench in a game against Dundee last May. It wasn't the trophy-laden farewell he wanted. But the 32-year-old says he's proud of what he achieved in Glasgow, winning all three domestic prizes. Roofe said: 'I had four really good years at Rangers. 'I spent a bit of extra time applauding the fans at the end of my last game. 'I think they understand that I wish I could have played more games and scored more goals. 'I'd rather have said goodbye that way rather than a token gesture as a sub. 'But I take real pride in my time at Rangers. When people ask me about my career and what it was like at Ibrox - when I break it down, I won all three trophies in Scotland and got to a Europa Final. 'So I had a really good time there.'
Scottish Sun
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Humble Rangers title winner reveals he trained in waterlogged public park covered in dog poo in bid to find new club
THINGS can change very quickly in the life of a footballer. That's something one of Rangers' 2021 title heroes found out very quickly. 2 Kemar Roofe left Rangers last year Credit: PA 2 The former Ibrox striker is on the lookout for a new club again Credit: Kenny Ramsay Steven Gerrard led the Light Blues to the Scottish Premiership title four years ago, the Gers' first championship in a decade and one that ended Celtic's quest for 10-in-a-row. It as a season that saw Rangers go unbeaten on league duty with several key stars upping their game to relentless levels. One of the Gers' big signings in the summer ahead of the memorable campaign was Kemar Roofe. Formerly of Leeds, the striker joined in a £4.5million deal from Belgian giants Anderlecht. Roofe proved a solid acquisition and would finish as the club's top scorer in the league that season with 14 goals. That was despite the fact he spent plenty of time on the treatment table, something that would hamper his entire career at Ibrox. Roofe's Rangers career came to an end a year ago when he was released at the end of his contract. He moved on after two highly frustrating seasons that saw him manage just three and 15 league appearances respectively. Roofe, 32, probably couldn't have foreseen that he would be without a club for the next EIGHT MONTHS after his Rangers exit. With clubs potentially spooked by his injury record, the Jamaica international was forced to train alone for several months as he never gave up his ambition of finding another club. Rangers star Kemar Roofe steps up rehab with punishing session in the gym And he was forced to do so in rather humbling circumstances - a public park. He told RG: "The grass wasn't cut, the pitches would be frozen at times. "There'd be dog poo on the pitch and dogs running on the pitch as well." Roofe eventually found a new club in February this year when he joined English Championship outfit Derby County on a short-term deal. He admitted: "(The move) was always going to be a risk because I was out for eight months training by myself." Despite his lengthy spell out of the game, Roofe appeared as a substitute in the two games immediately after his signing. But once again, injury peril struck. He suffered a hamstring injury and wouldn't feature again until the final game of the season. Roofe conceded: "I was pushing myself a bit more to try and get a bit of extra fitness into me, so I'd be better prepared for the game, and yeah, I probably pushed a bit too much." A year after his Rangers release, he finds himself a free agent. Roofe was confirmed to be one of the players leaving Derby when the revealed their list of released players last month. He's admitted that after joining a club mid-season, the end of the campaign doesn't come at a great time for him. Instead of going on holiday as most players do, Roofe will be working hard on his fitness once more. He also revealed how he keeps a JOURNAL to keep him motivated during the tougher periods, saying it keeps him centred and means "there's no kind of hiding place." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Rangers title hero, 32, wakes up unemployed as he's released by club just a year after Ibrox exit
ONE of Rangers' title-winning heroes has been left without a club after being released at the end of his contract. It comes after he spent eight months as a free agent after being let go by the Ibrox club in summer. 3 One of Rangers' title heroes has been released from his contract Credit: The Sun 3 He helped Gers win their 55th league title in 2020/21 Credit: The Sun 3 Kemar Roofe was left without a club for eight months after leaving Ibrox last summer Credit: PA Kemar Roofe spent four seasons with Rangers after joining from Belgian side Anderlecht. The Jamaica international hit 38 goals in 108 games in his time in Glasgow. He was part of Steven Gerrard's title-winning squad in the 2020/21 season, scoring 18 times in all competitions in his debut year. Roofe was left unemployed after being released by Gers last summer, having only scored twice in 24 appearances last season. The 32-year-old then faced a wait of eight months to find his next club, when Derby County snapped him up on a free transfer in February. But things haven't worked out for the striker in the Championship, and he hasn't been offered new terms upon the expiry of his current deal. Roofe has played just three times for the English outfit and has failed to score a goal. Despite playing internationally for Jamaica, Roofe was born and raised in England, and featured for Northampton, Colchester, Oxford United and Leeds earlier in his career. He was then signed by Vincent Kompany in his first managerial role in charge of Anderlecht. He only spent one season in Belgium before transferring to Rangers. Tense scenes in Glasgow as Celtic fans in stand off with Orange walk followers After successful scoring seasons in his first two years at Ibrox, injuries derailed his progress and he only scored four times between 2022-2024. He eventually joined Derby after the Rams had shown interest in him during his spells of good form in Glasgow, but Roofe now faces a hunt for a third club in the last year. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
BBC News
03-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Heart hopes survival, head says doomed
After Derby County dropped to the bottom of the Championship table, we asked Rams supporters for their views on the club's chances of survival with 11 matches dire run of 10 defeats in a 12-game winless league run - in which they have managed to score just four goals - has apparently left fans with little is a selection of what supporters had to say... Simo: The season is over. I just can't see Derby collecting any more points let alone stringing a set of results together. So much optimism before the season began - however, for whatever reason, it's turned into one to forget. Start making plans for League One as we aren't getting out of this mess any time I'm resigned to relegation Mathematically it is still possible, so there is still hope. In reality, though, I cannot see it happening. Individual defensive errors and a total lack of ability to score mean we will struggle to win another game. Even if we cut out the defensive errors you can't win games if you don't score. Perhaps Kemar Roofe will find a way, but I doubt it. My heart hopes we do survive but my head says we'll be relegated... but League One champions next season?John: If we can manage 10 points from our next four games, we may have a chance. It's a big a needed one with the safety gap now four points. We can't rely on the others dropping Still a lot to play for but the lack of confidence is ruining the side at the very first concession - it's like watching the ill-fated Premier League side [2007-08] again in that respect. Plenty of sides in the mix, and we only need to be above three of them come May, but if Mr Clowes doesn't get the level of investment we need to be competitive in this ever-improving Championship then we'd only be delaying the inevitable if we were to escape the drop. We go on in hope rather than expectation. Ginge: Can't see where the next win is coming from. These remaining games are do or die. Need a win and a win fast, got to be more aggressive towards the opposition and get stuck Thoughts at the start of the season was happy with fourth bottom, this could now be best case scenario! Main confusion lies with how we have gone from convincing wins, especially against Bristol City and Portsmouth, to apparently being devoid of talent, goals or confidence, in [the space of] a quarter of a Confidence is lacking across the board. Unless we get a goal soon it's going to be a struggle to avoid relegation. Injuries have hindered us without a doubt but other teams have their woes. We badly need investment so we can compete with our peers at least. I m resigned to relegation happening, unless we get a miracle. But I'll still support my Relegation is inevitable at this point, we offer no attacking threat in the final third. I think if we do go down, we need to invest and rebuild the team for the long-term goals of promotion next season and keeping Championship status after We have the players and the manager to stay up, and the teams around us aren't pulling up trees either. But the confidence doesn't look to be there, and our goalscoring record is atrocious. I'll be amazed if we avoid The squad simply isn't good enough for the Championship. Those who think it is or who think we will stay up need to have a word with themselves. The midfield, in particular, is too slow and lacks creativity - a total overhaul is needed in the summer. I suspect we will be in League One for a while, Not enough talent, not enough fight. We'll finish bottom. Hopefully keep Eustace so he can pay the fans back on his promises.
BBC News
27-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
'Quite simply, nobody does it quite like Leeds'
Who wouldn't want a slice of Leeds United, hey? Back-to-back heart-stopping victories in not dissimilar fashion to the 2018-19 season when United came from two down at Aston Villa to win 3-2 and then win by the same scoreline, having lost a first-half lead, to Blackburn Rovers with a last minute brace from Kemar Roofe on Boxing Day were worth anyone's money. If that was prime Marcelo Bielsa then Daniel Farke is in his own prime at Elland Road right now. Coming from behind to beat two promotion rivals in Sunderland and then Sheffield United in the final knockings of crackling atmospheres is why football has us addicted. When it means more, like a promotion-beckoning moment, then the rush is fierce. Harnessing the ride Leeds United provides makes the club even more attractive, especially to investors. Quite simply, nobody does it quite like Bull have a significant financial interest, but not to the same extent as owners San Francisco 49ers Enterprises, and that, according to club chairman Paraag Marathe, is not an equation he sees flipping."That's not contemplated at all," he revealed when asked if the energy drinks giant could takeover when speaking at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit this week. "There is no language to that effect. It's not something we have discussed ever." That may be so, but the trajectory Leeds are on will only increase the desire for Red Bull and others to have more of this special and unique club on the verge of completing its return to the lucrative trappings of the Premier it appears Marathe and the 49ers feel the opportunities for commercial growth, and therefore returns for their investors, is available elsewhere. Scottish giants Rangers are reportedly in their sights. "I can't really comment on whatever rumours might be out there," Marathe added. "But we are looking at other opportunities. It is doable to replicate the passion [of Leeds]."What we are looking for is clubs with the right bones, history of success and potential for growth."With technical director Gretar Steinsson announced recently as being set to join the 49ers Enterprises' executive global football structure, a multi-club football model seems imminent. Marathe will be delighted to expand the family, adding "absolutely there is enough room in your heart to love all your sports properties, just like there is to love all your children!" But no two children are the same, with some needing more attention than others... and nobody puts Leeds United in a to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds
