When Ryan Jack signed on at Ibrox, there was a gleeful indulgence streaming out of Govan.
Not only had we signed one of Scotland’s most promising, multi-talented midfielders, but we’d stole Aberdeen’s captain.
He was an outside bet for the signing of last season. But his time at Ibrox so far has been very stop start.
A frustrating year for Jack
At the beginning of his tenure, it seemed Ryan saw more reds than minutes. Referees couldn’t get enough of sending him off. Even if some of the decisions were questionable at best, he averaged a red card a month over the four months before he was injured.
Jack picked up a horror knee injury in December last year. It was a savage challenge by Cedric Kipre. The Rangers man required surgery which ruled him out for the rest of the campaign.
But with the new season brought new optimism. Legendary midfielder Steven Gerrard joined the club. Jack was fit and ready to draw inspiration. It was a chance to see the best of the Scotland international.
Injury after injury has also disrupted Jack this season. It’s even sorer considering how good he was starting to look before them. Against Osijek Gerrard said he was “jealous” of Jack’s performance.
But whilst injuries have disrupted his rhythm, the midfielder returned to action off the bench against Hearts.
And there’s a game on the horizon which might just suit a return to the starting line up.
Will Ryan Jack get Aberdeen nod?
This one has some serious history for Jack. Aberdeen is the club where he became a professional. He made over 200 appearances for the Dons. He’d been at the club since he was eight.
The reaction to his Rangers move was so dramatic is was almost surreal. What was the massive problem? This is a player who’d served his time in Aberdeen and couldn’t turn down a move to the club he supported as a boy.
There was no support or graciousness for this club servant, and all because he joined Rangers.
This was highlighted in a recent BBC apology to Jack, when they shared an image of a banner with his severed head on it held up by Aberdeen fans.
If Ryan Jack is fit enough to play on Sunday – and he may well be – it might be the perfect game to make a comeback in. It’s certainly the perfect one in which to make a mark.
And if he can stay fit, he can make a more permanent one on this Rangers side this season and beyond.
