Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack says that groans over his injury issues don’t bother him as he receives a call-up to the Scotland national team squad.
The midfielder, 31, returns to the Scotland national team fold alongside Rangers defender John Souttar, with both called up by Tartan Army manager Steve Clarke ahead of fixtures with Norway and Georgia.
Despite being available for over 80% of the fixtures since Michael Beale came into the job at Rangers, Ryan Jack has been unable to shake the injury tag among fans across Scotland.
The midfielder might have talent and leadership credentials aplenty but, sometimes, the best ability is availability and there is clearly some way to go to convince Gers fans he can be a reliable option.
Addressing the injury conversation, Jack insists the criticisms “don’t bother me” with the midfielder focused on both Rangers and Scotland.
“Look, it doesn’t bother me,” said Ryan Jack. “It doesn’t bother me one bit.
“I know what I can give every day to the club, to my team-mates and to the manager. I know what I can bring to the team on a match day and I back myself with that.
“The manager backs me on it, too. That’s the most important thing. Whatever anyone else says on the outside, I can’t influence it. So I just focus on what matters to me.”
Ryan Jack professes Scotland and Rangers “love” amid injury murmurs
It’s a good time for the Scotland national team and Jack has also shrugged off assessments that he should retire from international football to focus on Rangers, amid a spate of high-profile injury problems.
The midfielder is undoubtedly one of the leaders in the Ibrox dressing room – with his new deal a testament to that – but the player’s last few seasons have been badly disrupted by the issues.
It’s seen murmurs from within the Rangers support suggesting that, after the new deal, Jack might focus more on Ibrox and less on the Scotland team.
But speaking after the latest call-up, the Ibrox midfielder is adamant he can do both as he professes his “love” for playing for both Scotland and the Gers.
“Right now, my mindset is that I love being part of the Scotland set-up and I love playing for Rangers,” Jack said.
“Right now, that’s where my mind is at. I will concentrate on that [Scotland] and then it’s back to Rangers and my full focus will be on pre-season. Rangers are back on June 30 so it’s not going to be a big break for myself.
“But I want to be involved in big games for Rangers and big games for Scotland, so it’s a sacrifice you have to make.”
Jack made 36 appearances for Rangers this season, scoring twice.
