After failing to feature in any of Rangers’ last 15 Scottish Premiership games, the Ibrox ace may have felt as if the ship had sailed as far as his European Championship hopes were concerned.
Not so.
Despite a season ruined by injury, despite the uncertainty surrounding his future at club level, and despite his advancing age, the Rangers man was selected after all.
Well, we say despitehis age.
The 32-year-old appears to have been given the nod by Scotland boss Steve Clarke because of his age. Or, if you like, his ‘experience’. Some of Ryan Jack‘s finest performances in Rangers colours have come in knockout competitions, and when the pressure is at it’s most potent.
Jack was one of the first names on the Gers team sheets during those deep runs into the Europa League under Steven Gerrard and Giovanni van Bronckhorst for a reason. And if Scotland are to avoid a repeat of their disappointing Euro 2021 campaign – exiting rather limply in the group stages without an injured Jack – then the former Aberdeen skipper could have a big part to play, if not on the pitch then certainly off it.
Rangers’ Ryan Jack gets Scotland call-up
“Experience,” was Clarke’s explanation when quizzed on Jack’s rather surprising re-call, via BBC Sport. “Ryan’s been an important part of the squad in my time as head coach.
“He missed the last Euros. He hasn’t had the best end to the season for Rangers. But he’s been fit the past two or three weeks.
“He deserves to be there. He’s a midfield player that’s a little bit different.”
Scotland begin their Euro campaign against host nation Germany in Munich on June 14th. Clarke’s Tartan Army then face Switzerland and Hungary in a testing and difficult-to-predict Group A.
Clarke chose 28 players in his preliminary squad ahead of the upcoming friendlies with Gibraltar and Finland. As such, Jack’s place is not completely secure just yet, although Clarke seemingly has few concerns over his fitness after seeing the midfielder return to the Rangers bench for the final day 3-3 draw with Hearts.
Scottish Cup final curtain call
The long-serving enforcer will become a free-agent this summer alongside Borna Barisic, John Lundstram and Leon Balogun. Should he feature in this weekend’s Scottish Cup final with Old Firm rivals Celtic, then, that could be the curtain call of his Rangers career.
Jack’s Gers team-mate John Souttar has also been included by Clarke. There is also a chance for ex-Ibrox youngster Ross McCrorie, the versatile Bristol City ace one of two uncapped players alongside Liverpool teeenager Ben Doak.
“I lost my two first-choice right backs / right wing-backs,” the former Chelsea coach adds. “Ross had a really difficult time when he first went to Bristol City when he had a serious problem.
“He got back in the team in the second half of the season, acquitted himself well and got some minutes under his belt.
“He’s another one who has been in squads before but doesn’t have a cap. So it’s a chance to have a look at Ross as well and see how he’s doing.”
