Rangers manager Philippe Clement has hinted at discussions over Ryan Jack’s Scotland future after yet another injury.
Despite playing in the last four Rangers matches before the international break, Ryan Jack returned from Scotland duty with another issue.
Despite only playing 11 minutes out of 180 for the country, Rangers have once again lost an influential player amid a crucial run in the season.
Speaking after the 1-1 draw with Aberdeen, where Rangers might’ve used Ryan Jack, Philippe Clement claims he’s mulling over Scotland talks.
“We can think about that,” said Clement. “I’ve been in that situation also as a player.
“That one moment you feel your body is getting more difficulty in coping with both because you never have a rest moment.
“So we will see in the next couple of weeks if we need to have this talk or not but I first want to speak with my medical staff about those things.”
Jacko remains an injury doubt
Looking ahead to Thursday’s clash with Aris Limassol, Philippe Clement has also claimed that Rangers might be without Ryan Jack for the clash.
Whilst the Belgian manager didn’t rule the Scotland international out completely, we all know what these soundbites mean.
We’d be amazed if Ryan Jack makes the squad for the Europa League clash and we’ll look forward to an update ahead of the Premiership match v St Mirren at Ibrox.
“We don’t know yet,” said Philippe Clement. “I don’t think it will be something for a long time, more short time, but I don’t know if he’ll be ready for Thursday.
“I think it will be on the edge.”
Scotland or Rangers for Ryan Jack
It’s hard not to sympathise with Ryan Jack given the scale of injury issues which have interrupted his Rangers career.
But at the same time this clash with Scotland is nothing new when it comes to the former Aberdeen captain.
Steven Gerrard had his run-ins with how Steve Clarke trained Ryan Jack in the past and once again the player is coming back from international duty unavailable for Rangers.
Something tells us the Scotland manager couldn’t care less.
For a Rangers squad who have almost criminally underperformed – at least in terms of silverware – for the best part of a decade, this can’t continue.
We quite simply need players who can regularly contribute and who are focused on delivering for the club and supporters.
Ryan Jack missed the last European Championships due to injury and if he wants to continue at Rangers then he has to seriously consider his approach to next summer.
Scotland have made the tournament in Germany in 2024 and if a 31-year-old Ryan Jack wants to continue at Rangers beyond it, then it quite simply has to be his last hurrah with the national side.
With Ryan Jack’s contract up in the summer, his Rangers future depends on it.
