Something Steven Gerrard may have noticed in recent weeks is that Rangers’ most balanced midfield may not include Ryan Jack.
The former Aberdeen captain has been a star since signing for the Gers. He quickly became a fans’ favourite through his determination and willingness to crunch into challenges for the cause. The manager even described himself as “jealous” of a Europa League performance Jack put in this season.
Yet, is Jack’s place in the side truly a given when everyone is fit and in top form? Firstly, let me stress top form. If any one of the midfielders aren’t playing to the levels they’re capable of, then Jack would be reintroduced.
But, as it stands, Lassana Coulibaly plays Jack’s role with a tad more quality on the ball. The on-loan Angers man is another who’s become a fans-favourite since signing for the club in the summer. He already looks like the real deal in the midfield, even if he’s still struggling to shake off the injury he picked up a few weeks ago.
Jack has played alongside Coulibaly in the midfield in the past, but their roles are too similar to stick with in the long-term.
Massive divide in opinion
Now, the next midfielder will immediately divide opinion after Sunday’s defeat at Livingston. Ovie Ejaria, however, remains the better option in terms of bringing some flair to the central area.
Jack doesn’t provide this, and they’re two different kinds of midfielders. Whether he performed poorly on Sunday or not, Ejaria is still a bag of potential who needs to develop. He isn’t one for ploughing into challenges, and Rangers rely on him more for some inventive final third play.
In recent weeks, there’s no denying we haven’t seen enough of Ejaria doing that kind of work. He may very well see himself dropped from the side when Jack is fully-fit. The issue there is they don’t do the same job, however. Whilst Ejaria isn’t playing to his full potential at the moment, Jack isn’t the man to jump in and replace him.
Thirdly, Scott Arfield has totally changed my opinion in recent weeks. His performances have been oustanding, and he clearly has come onto game in recent weeks. His goal in Villarreal appears to be the making of him.
He has the ability to play some sensational passes in the blink of an eye. Nobody else in the final third can do the job he does. At the moment, he’s Rangers’ driving force in the midfield, and a man Gerrard is heavily relying on.
Jack won’t replace Arfield when he comes back from full fitness. In fact, in truth, Gerrard could swap him for Ejaria and partner him with Coulibaly once more. It was a partnership that was successful in Europa League qualifying, but it doesn’t give Gers the perfect balance of defence and attack.
As it stands, and as talented as Jack is, is the midfield as good as it can be with him in there? Possibly not.
