Johnson eyeing Rangers extension
On-loan Stafford Rangers defender Jermaine Johnson is eyeing an extension that will keep him at Marston Road until the January transfer window and possibly beyond.
The teenage stopper, into his second spell of the season on loan with the Blue Square North club from Championship side Derby, is due back at Pride Park after the league game at Fleetwood on December 19.
But Johnson is hoping to stay out playing first-team football, after a spell kicking his heels in the Rams' reserves upon his return from Rangers in early October.
The 19-year-old, who spent four years on Chelsea's books, does not want to go back to that and wants manager Chris Brindley to lengthen his terms until the window re-opens in the New Year.
But it would be decision time for Rangers then - they would then have to sign him permanently, take him on loan until the end of the season or pack him back off to Derby.
Johnson said: "I am hoping to extend my loan deal to take me over the Christmas period and I will look at the situation again after that, if there was interest from a Football League club or something like that I would have to consider it.
"It's tough at Derby, it's a big first-team squad and very difficult to break through. But I enjoy working day in and day out with Nigel Clough, then training with Stafford and playing for their team at the weekend.
"I can only learn from these experiences as a young player, this move has made a man out of me."
Rangers took a second loan signing from Derby to solve their striker crisis last week, with Estonian striker Henrik Ojamaa scoring on his full debut at Hinckley.
It was Johnson who recommended the 18-year-old to Brindley, after the manager lost Nick Wellecomme to injury and Ben Mills to Alfreton.
The on-loan defender said: "I gave the gaffer at Stafford my thoughts that Henrik could come in and do a job. It's anything for the cause at the moment. He will do well, he will work his socks off and I reckon he will get his fair share of goals.
"Chris and the assistant manager at Derby Gary Crosby have a good working relationship, so it wasn't a problem getting the deal fixed up.
"Plus, Henrik is doing the driving to Marston Road, so I can be a passenger!"
