Filip Helander isn’t the only big miss for Rangers for Thursday night’s Europa League clash against Lyon.
The centre-back would likely have partnered Connor Goldson against the French giants, but was stretchered off with a knee injury against St Johnstone on Saturday and has subsequently been ruled out until December.
His absence leaves Steven Gerrard relatively short on cover for the rest of the group stages and his defensive nouse will be sorely missed.
He’s not the only unavailable player the manager could have done with having at his disposal against Lyon, though.
Ryan Jack is another.
The Scotland international has been out for so long that it’s easy to forget how influential he has been under Gerrard when fit and firing.
In a recent interview with The Athletic, former Gers midfielder Jamie Barjonas raved about Jack. He claimed that the manager sees something of himself in the 29-year-old, that he’s the best trainer every day and has the personality of a Rangers captain.
He clearly commands a lot of respect from his teammates and he loves a battle.
That’s partly why he’d be so useful against a Lyon side packed full of international quality.
If he was available, he’d almost certainly be starting in the middle of the park with Steven Davis and Glen Kamara.
Jack reads the game excellently, uses the ball efficiently and tackles hard – all things that make him a favourite of the Ibrox faithful and a very difficult man to play against.
Gerrard still has quality options in the former Aberdeen skipper’s absence, with Joe Aribo, John Lundstram, Scott Arfield and Juninho Bacuna all competing for the spot alongside Davis and Kamara.
Yet, Rangers’ chances of another memorable European win would be greatly improved with Jack in the side.
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