Rangers fans have been saluting Ryan Jack on his return to the Ibrox side as the Gers ran out 4-2 winners over Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.
Steven Gerrard’s side welcomed the Staggies to Ibrox and before a ball was kicked the near-capacity crowd observed a minute of silence ahead of Remembrance Sunday.
70' SUB: A double change for Rangers.
💙 Welcome back, Ryan Jack.
➡️ ON: Nathan Patterson & Ryan Jack
⬅️ OFF: Leon Balogun & John Lundstram— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) November 7, 2021
With international duty set to take place next week, this was Rangers’ opportunity to pay their respects and in the style of the Ibrox club, the silence was impeccably observed whilst fans produced a special display in the Sandy Jardine in honour of the nation’s war dead.
Lest We Forget pic.twitter.com/rM1HoYzSQS
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) November 7, 2021
On the pitch, it was an increasingly all-too-familiar start for Rangers as the club fell behind to an early goal from County striker Joseph Hungbo.
This was the fifth match in a row that Rangers fell behind first and the 11th time the club has done so this season.
It is a worrying trend and whilst Rangers have found a way to battle back into matches, this is a sizeable cause for concern that must be addressed in the weeks to come.
Rangers comfortable in the end as Ryan Jack return please Gers fans
Nigerian midfielder Joe Aribo – impressive throughout the game – nodded the Gers back level from a James Tavernier corner before Ryan Kent announced his return to Ibrox with a stunning strike.
The Gers winger has been missing for seven weeks and after returning against Brondby in midweek, showed his class to whip a stunning effort over County keeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer.
After the restart, the impressive Juninho Bacuna – one of five changes from the draw with Brondby – got his first goal for the club.
👏 A first #RangersFC goal for Juninho Bacuna. pic.twitter.com/p79Zip0uLf
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) November 7, 2021
A fine finish after nice work with Joe Aribo, Bacuna was good for the goal and was a positive, progressive presence in the midfield throughout.
Alex Iaocovitti would then turn the ball into his own net from a James Tavernier cross to make it four with Jordan White adding a late consolation for County.
But whilst the victory was welcome – as was Ryan Kent’s scoring return to Ibrox – the headlines belong to one man and one man only.
Ryan Jack hasn’t been seen for four months – that’s ever since the 4-1 win over Dundee United in February last year – and after the lengthy lay-off was introduced to raucous applause with 20 minutes to play.
Whilst the Rangers win was naturally the biggest takeaway from the match, the return of Ryan Jack dominated much of the conversation amongst fans post-match:
Welcome back Ryan Jack! 🔴⚪️🔵 pic.twitter.com/HSnkmPYamO
— NJ McLean (@NJ_McLean) November 7, 2021
Brilliant to see Ryan Jack back on the pitch 🙌🏻
— Alex (@alegil2101) November 7, 2021
Rousing reception for Ryan Jack as he comes on to make his first appearance since February.
Been a terrible time for him with injury but the way Hagi and Aribo greeted his arrival shows the esteem he’s held in.
Jack & Kent back is a major boost for Rangers.
— Jordan Campbell (@JordanC1107) November 7, 2021
Ianis Hagi conducting the crowd as Ryan Jack enters play – the Rangers support clearly delighted to have him back.
— Joshua Barrie (@JoshuaBarrieRR) November 7, 2021
Aribo, Kent & Bacuna outstanding today and great to see Ryan Jack back on the pitch. Just need to stop conceding the sloppy goals 👏🏻👏🏻 #Champions #RFC
— Loyal 1 (@TLoyal1) November 7, 2021
Positives;
3 points.
Very good going forward.
Ryan Kent superb.
Ryan Jack back.
Able to rest Davis and Kamara.
4 points clear going into another international break.Negative;
Lack of concentration leading to sloppy goals conceded.We really don't have loads to put right 🔴⚪🔵
— Paul (@HamptonCaught) November 7, 2021
https://twitter.com/eileenfiona__/status/1457394332634337283
Did it the hard way again but enough to be content with overall. Kent gave us a spark we’ve badly lacked. Ryan Jack back on the pitch. Bacuna showing glimpses of what he is capable of. Sakala showed some nice touches
— Andy McKellar (@AMcKellar89) November 7, 2021
Ryan Kent back ✅
Ryan Jack back ✅
Kent was amazing today Jack solid 👊
They will have even more time to get up to speed over the international break 💪
Do you think these 2 will make a big difference in our season? 👀
— Mr Obvious 🇬🇧 🙃 (@BlueTintSpecks) November 7, 2021
Brilliant ovation for ryan jack
— chris graham (@chrisblue1982) November 7, 2021
Comfortable 3 points in the end. Good to see Ryan Jack back. Still giving away cheap goals which will inevitably cost us points if we don’t sort that defence out.
— Billy Ferguson (@bferguson4) November 7, 2021
Great game and a good win, with some excellent football played.
Kent unplayable, Bacuna starting to show why he's here, Ryan Jack back in action. Happy days for the Champions.
Nice to see everybody respecting the fallen, class but expected.
Love you always @RangersFC ♥️🤍💙
— Rangers Fans For Action (@action_rangers) November 7, 2021
GUESS WHOS BACK BACK BACK RYAN JACK IS BACK
— beck 🍂 six weeks (@ryu_luvr) November 7, 2021
Seeing Ryan Jack back playing 😭💙
— Mazza (@ScotsGeekGirl) November 7, 2021
Glad we got a win today and good to see both Ryan Jack and Kent back in the squad. Now onto the semi final in two weeks time 👊 🔴⚪️🔵 pic.twitter.com/rjQykax2jk
— Mikey Aird (@AirdMikey) November 7, 2021
https://twitter.com/colegamble_/status/1457385003134955526
The result puts Rangers back four points clear in the Scottish Premiership ahead of the international break as the Gers lick their wounds and prepare for a hectic festive period.
There is still plenty to be improved upon from a Rangers POV but with the club still going strong in four competitions they’ll take this chance to regroup and look forward to the Christmas run-in.
Meanwhile, a leading football finance expert has claimed that Rangers’ ambitions to be profitable by 2022 are “achievable”.