Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has lavished praise on Ryan Jack ahead of Sunday afternoon’s Old Firm clash against Celtic, as quoted by the Scottish Herald.
The 27-year-old has been outstanding for the Gers so far this season, as a near-constant in the heart of midfield.
Jack has made 31 appearances and it’s hard to think of any instance where he’s been well below par.
His consistency and commitment have seen him establish himself as a firm fan favourite, while praise from Gerrard is never far away.
“Ryan has taken his game to another level,” he said, as quoted by the Scottish Herald. “When we watched him in our first pre-season, we saw a good player, a hungry guy with attributes.”
“But with him learning how we play and being open to different formations and tactics, and evolving his own game, he deserves credit for becoming an excellent player.
“I think he’s in his peak years now. I predict, because of the mentality of the kid, that you’ll see a strong Ryan Jack for the next four or five years.”
He then went on to describe the ex-Aberdeen skipper as a ‘leader’ who is ‘playing like a captain.’
Verdict
Jack will be a key player in today’s derby, there’s little doubt about that.
He’s the main personality in the Gers midfield and will be looking to stamp his authority on the fixture as he has done in the past.
This time last season, he came up trumps with a deflected winner at Ibrox, while he dictated the pace for much of the League Cup final earlier this month.
Ice cool in possession and an increasingly big goal threat, Jack will be hoping to bounce back from the disappointment of Hampden to put in a masterclass at Parkhead.
