Rangers star, Ryan Jack, has earned praise for his excellent performance as Scotland squeezed past Serbia on penalties to reach the European Championships.
Jack has established himself in Steve Clarke’s strongest team in recent times, so it was no surprise to see him included in the starting XI for Thursday night’s winner-take-all tie at the Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade.
Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack lines up for Scotland ahead of their clash with Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
The Gers maestro played alongside Callum McGregor and John McGinn in midfield in what was a predictably tense encounter.
WAYNE ROONEY TO EVERTON IS A JOKE.
The game was 0-0 at the interval but Scotland took the lead just seven minutes into the second half, through Ryan Christie.
For well over half an hour, that looked like being enough. Yet, Real Madrid striker, Luka Jovic, popped up with a 90th-minute header for Serbia to send the contest to extra time.
At that point, it seemed that fate was against the visitors, but they picked themselves up to get through extra time, before cool penalties and David Marshall’s fine save from Aleksander Mitrovic, booked their place at the Euros.
(Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
Jack wasn’t required from the spot, but the Rangers midfielder was excellent in the game. He distributed the ball well – his pass accuracy of 83.7% was the second-highest of anyone in blue – and, as usual, provided great protection for his centre-backs.
His stamina was impressive, too, as he made it through a gruelling 120 minutes.
In the past, Jack received plenty of criticism from sections of the Scotland support, but his performances in recent months have silenced many of his doubters and he earned a lot of praise for his efforts in Belgrade.
Here’s a selection of reactions from Twitter:
Ryan Jack’s best game in a Scotland shirt. Strolled that smoking a cigar.
— Andrew Mackay (@mackayac) November 12, 2020
Well done Scotland 🏴 after all those years.. deserved the victory, were the better team first 90 and showed character to see it to Pens… I used to like Loch Lomond, but confess 120+ mins canned done me.. Jack never put a foot wrong👏👏🏴
— Alistair MacRae (@alimacno) November 12, 2020
Ryan Jack is superb for Scotland btw no one can deny it
— 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙮 (@ShayQ__) November 12, 2020
Think we can all agree that jack mcgregor and mcginn are Scotland’s best middle 3
— Kev.i.n (@kevindyet1) November 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/Geddes1989/status/1327020836071632898
What a result. Massive achievement for Scotland man so glad we finally get to witness Scotland at a major tournament. Ryan Jack was superb tonight absolutely strolled it.
— Watsy (@Watsy1872) November 12, 2020
Jack was brilliant tonight. Buzzing for him after the stick he got from Scotland fans 💙
— Lee McDonald (@skebs78) November 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/JAndersonRFC/status/1327016456643612674