Ryan Jack’s Rangers and Scotland careers have always been tinged with injury sadness.
An industrious midfielder who at his best had the drive, ability and athleticism to dominate the middle of the park in Govan, there was a moment under Steven Gerrard when Jacko looked destined for legendary status at Ibrox.
But when the injuries started to hit, the Rangers number 8 has toiled over the last three or four years to find a proper consistent run at actually playing the game he loves.
It’s a situation exemplified by Ryan Jack’s current injury status, with Philippe Clement admitting the midfielder will be lucky to play again this season.
As a result, out-of-contract Ryan Jack might be lucky to play for Rangers again, period.
With the 15-times capped Scotland midfielder also suffering heartbreak at Euro 2020 the 32-year-old’s persistent issues also appear to have ruled him out of the nation’s Germany reckoning.
But could the latest news coming out of UEFA be about to hand Ryan Jack a Scotland lifeline?
Ryan Jack handed Euro 2024 Scotland incentive
According to BBC Sport, UEFA are on the verge of announcing 26-man squads for Euro 2024.
This is a three man increase on the previous 23 and would mean that an additional three players would be invited to make up the numbers in Germany.
Midfield is an area of the park that Scotland have been blessed in recently but Steve Clarke has always called on Ryan Jack whenever the midfielder has been fit.
Whilst the likes of John McGinn, Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour and Callum McGregor are stiff competition, it means all hope is not lost for Ryan Jack this summer.
Throw in a devastating injury for Scotland shoo-in Lewis Ferguson – who has earned Jacko’s public support as a result – and suddenly there are increased opportunities in the squad.
The situation provides an almighty incentive for Ryan Jack to get back fit and firing for Rangers and perhaps a Scotland call isn’t completely out of the question.
Rangers midfielder has ‘difficult’ situation
All things considered, Philippe Clement has previously suggested that a Ryan Jack return to the Rangers fold this season looks unlikely.
The Rangers manager was asked about the midfielder’s status earlier in April with a troublesome calf problem continuing to hold Jack back.
Limited to just five appearances in 2024, Ryan Jack hasn’t been seen since the Europa League first leg draw with Benfica in March and Clement claims the club are looking for solutions.
“That’s a difficult one,” said Clement, when asked if Rangers fans could see Ryan Jack this season.
“He was on a good way back last week but then he felt again a bit so we are looking now other solutions to get him back. So we lost some time there so we will see.
“It’s week-by-week looking at the situation and looking for solutions.
“It’s a problem with his calves and it’s something that’s already there for years, so it’s something that needs to be solved well.
“I am also not a manager who wants to get a player back for one game and then he’s out for three months or he has a risk for the rest of his career, that I don’t want also.”
Ryan Jack signed on a free contract from Aberdeen in 2017 and has gone on to make 210 appearances for Rangers, scoring 16 goals.
