Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack has staked his claim for a permanent place in the Scotland national team, with encouraging displays against Cyprus and Kazakhstan in Euro 2020 qualifying.
The Ibrox number 8 has been on superb form this season but has been unable to influence the Scottish side’s Euro 2020 qualification campaign through a lack of appearances.
And whilst Jack will be eager to play a role in Scotland’s UEFA Nations League play-off in March, he might even earn a ticket to the Euros with Scotland through the back door.
Reports are claiming that there is an outside chance 2018 World Cup hosts Russia could be expelled from the competition and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics over doping claims [Guardian].
Given Scotland finished third behind the Russians in Group I, the suggestion is that they’d take their place at the tournament.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) executive committee is set to convene on the 9th of December over alleged inconsistencies in anti-doping data, with Russia risking a ban or expulsion from sporting events as a result.
The reports claim that the Russian international anti-doping agency (RUSADA) will be declared “non-compliant” when WADA meet, with the claims concerning the period between January 2012 and August 2015.
Should WADA agree there has been any wrongdoing, Russia could also be banned from hosting matches during the special Europe-wide tournament.
The St. Petersburg stadium is set to host three group games and one quarter-final at next summer’s competition.
So even if Ryan Jack can’t help the Scotland national team make the tournament through the Nations League play-offs, he might even get into Euro 2020 through the backdoor.
That’s if he can maintain his good form and earn a place…