In the modern era, there have been fewer more iconic moments than Ryan Jack slipping the ball through Scott Brown’s legs in December’s 1-0 Old Firm win at Ibrox.
It was the main difference in a dominating performance against Celtic. Our first win against our rivals on home territory for seven years, the only disappointment was we never won by more.
But going into tomorrow’s match Ryan Jack hasn’t exerted the same kind of influence on games as he was doing there.
The midfielder has struggled for impact on big games, on games when we need a difference maker. An effective, sweeping midfielder on his day, he’s lacked the same impetus to go out and control games in the middle.
Constant chopping and changing haven’t helped. As well as the addition of Glen Kamara, who is more likely to be the player who recycles the ball in midfield.
For tomorrow’s match, much of the talk has also concerned the potential return of Ross McCrorie. Rangers are yet to lose a domestic game with the defensive midfielder in the side. One of his best performances in a Rangers shirt was in that win against Celtic.
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But tomorrow is also the chance for Ryan Jack to rise back to prominence in this Rangers side. Gerrard obviously trusts him. He is a willing runner, an able tackler and an intelligent midfielder.
But in December’s match with Celtic, he was a matchwinner. We’ll need him on that kind of form again if we’re to take anything from Glasgow’s Eastend.
