With Rangers star Ryan Jack a doubt for the club’s visit of Portuguese giants Benfica in the Europa League, Steven Gerrard could be ruing his treatment in the Scottish international team.
Prior to Jacko leaving for international duty, Rangers boss Gerrard claimed he’d shown Scotland manager Steve Clarke “respect” after he took Jack off at half-time in the 8-0 win over Hamilton.
It’s something the Ibrox gaffer also hinted he hoped would be reciprocated.
“They’re off on internationals now we wish them good luck but we need them to stay healthy,” said Gerrard [RangersTV].
“We’ve tried to respect international games through the week.
“Today leaving Steven Davis out because he’s fully fit and taking Jacko off at half-time, we’ve tried to show respect there.”
Jack, 28, would then go on to play a starring role for Scotland over the two weeks, playing 120 minutes against Serbia in the victorious Euro 2020 playoff and a man of the match role in the defeat to Israel.
Now, despite playing 56 minutes against Aberdeen at the weekend, the midfielder is a “doubt” for the match with Jorge Jesus’ side.
It’s not clear if this was picked up directly in the Aberdeen match, in training or if playing him so soon after returning from Scotland duty has aggravated something after the break.
Picking up niggling injuries on international duty is something which has been a common theme with Jack and Scotland and Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has clashed with Scotland equivalent Steve Clarke in the past.
Last season Gerrard accused the Scotland camp of running Jack into the ground and slammed the nation for their “careless” treatment of the midfielder, who returned to the squad injured.
Rangers midfielder Jack isn’t the only player who has picked up a niggling injury either, with summer signing Bongani Zungu also set for a spell on the sidelines.
