Amid all the discussion surrounding Rangers’ new crop of talent, Ryan Jack expects Philippe Clement to call upon the old guard during Wednesday’s trip to Aberdeen.
While much of Rangers’ pre-match build up has been dominated by the form of Vaclav Cerny, Connor Barron and Neraysho Kasanwirjo – Barry Ferguson wants the Feyenoord loanee to start at centre-half at Pittodrie – one man who swapped the red of Aberdeen for the blue of the Gers feels that experience will be key during one of the biggest tests of the Clement era.
Lose, and the visitors will fall nine points behind Jimmy Thelin’s surprise-packages.
And Ryan Jack, the former Ibrox stalwart who started his career with The Dons, believes that this is the sort of challenge which should have Clement calling upon a handful of trusted lieutenants to lead Rangers into battle.
Ryan Jack backs James Tavernier to fire Rangers past Aberdeen
“Rangers just need to focus on one game at a time. [Away to Aberdeen represents] a massive game at a sold-out Pittodrie,” Jack argues. “Players like James Tavernier, John Souttar, Tom Lawrence, and Jack Butland are experienced, and have been to Pittodrie for these fixtures [in the past].
“Aberdeen will come out quick, and Rangers need to be ready.”
Clement may be denied the services of two of those aforementioned quartet, however.
Lawrence and Souttar both missed Sunday’s 2-1 win over St Mirren through injury.
The duo face a race against time if they are to be back in contention at an Aberdeen side who have accumulated 25 points out of a potential 27 thus far.
Robin Propper struggled badly in Souttar’s absence against Stephen Robinson’s side, though Mohamed Diomade opened the scoring in place of Lawrence in the number ten role.
Jack, meanwhile, insists that Tavernier should once again be the first name on Clement’s team sheet.
The Ibrox boss has rested his skipper on a number of occasions recently. Jack feels the time has come for the veteran right-back to roll back the years, however, in a game which could be decided by a trademark Tavernier set-piece.
“[Tavernier] has got great character. People say he comes across as quiet and not outspoken but, trust me, in the dressing room, he speaks his mind and is a great character,” adds Jack, who moved to Turkey with Esenler Erokspor after his Rangers contract expired in the summer.
“We have seen Rangers rotate a lot recently. [But] for me, James Tavernier has to play tomorrow, just for his experience, know-how, and dead-ball quality.
“He can score, assist, and Rangers need that experience.”
Philippe Clement backs Connor Barron to handle Aberdeen challenge
Even if Thelin’s unbeaten outfit were not in such flying form, a return to Aberdeen would have represented a rather daunting evening for one of Rangers’s most in-form players.
Connor Barron followed in Ryan Jack’s footsteps over the summer, the nature of his Dons departure proving controversial after the midfielder decided against extending his contract.
Clement has no concerns about Barron’s ability to handle the Pittodrie pressure, however.
“I worked with a lot of young players in my career,” Clement told a press conference. “As a player and as a manager, he’s one of the most mature that I’ve met at that age.
“I’m sure he’s ready for [the Aberdeen atmosphere] and he’s just focused on football. That’s his strong point also. He’s only busy with football and with his ambitions to become better and become important for this club.
“So, I don’t have any doubts about that.”
