Steve Clarke has addressed Rangers star Ryan Jack’s late withdrawal from the Scotland squad due to injury [Herald].
Jack hasn’t played for the Gers since limping off in the first half of a Premiership fixture against Dundee United at Ibrox over a month ago.
While he missed the 1-1 Old Firm draw at Celtic Park at the weekend, he was still expected to play some part in Scotland’s upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Austria, Israel and the Faroe Islands.
However, he was forced to withdraw from the squad just days before the Austria clash, with the news confirmed on Monday evening.
“We lost Ryan Jack but we sort of pre-empted that so we are in good shape,” said Clarke [Herald]. “It is a blow for us because he has done well for us and he plays a certain position in midfield that without him we don’t really have.”
“So we will miss him but we have got a really good squad now, so it’s time for someone else to step forward.”
The Gers star will no doubt be gutted to miss an important set of fixtures, particularly with the European Championships looming.
However, Clarke’s comments suggest that Jack’s place in Scotland’s strongest starting XI is relatively secure, so if he can get back to full fitness and finish the season strongly with Rangers, he should be able to slot back into the side ahead of the major tournament.
The 29-year-old may be targeting a comeback in the Gers’ Scottish Cup Third Round tie against Cove Rangers on 4th April, with the first post-split Premiership fixture against Hibernian falling the following weekend.
Earlier on Wednesday, the TV details for the Cove clash were confirmed.
