After Steven Gerrard told Rangers TV that Ryan Jack should be available for selection on Thursday, his gratitude was evident.
Gerrard, a dynamic, battling, creative force in midfield himself, holds Ryan Jack in the highest regard. This shows just how important the former Aberdeen skipper to this Rangers team.
More than this it shows just how talented a player the former Aberdeen skipper is. Platitudes from one of the best footballers, let alone midfielders, of the previous generation is high praise indeed.
On Jack’s return Gerrard said:
“It could be a huge boost because I think he is in great form and I think he has played a very important role for us so far.
“I think when you are going away from home and you have a slight advantage you want to put people in your team that are going to help you get a positive result and Ryan comes into that bracket.”
Jack is a workhorse of a midfielder. He can dig in, he can drive forward and shows a distinct footballing intelligence in his passing. He’s also a leader on the park – he was handed the Aberdeen captaincy at 23.
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The fact he is regularly targeted by opposition players shows just how much opposition managers think of him. It’s been a shame that we missed out on his talents through injury last season.
Now, Gerrard seems determined to protect Jack both off the pitch and on it. His mentoring of Jack is something we should be getting excited about as Rangers fans. Gerrard sees him as the pivot of this new look Rangers side. He could be a big player with Scotland too.
He’s fast becoming one of our most important players on the pitch at Ibrox.
With injury and discipline problems behind him, it is just about keeping him on it.