Rangers midfielder, Ryan Jack, now feels that he has finally staked his claim to have a regular starting place in the Scotland midfield following this display against Cyprus in the 2-1 victory, as revealed in an interview in The Evening Times.
Jack has been in outstanding form for his club side and despite call-ups to previous squads this season, he has been frustrated at having to pull out through injury. He was also subject to a club v country fall-out when Steven Gerrard and Steve Clarke clashed over Jack’s training volume following an Old Firm derby.
Initially deployed as a defensive midfielder by Rangers, Jack has seen his role transformed under Gerrard who now relies on him to be pivotal in both defence and attack. His performance against Ross County where he scored a double (and was close to his hat-trick) epitomising just how much he has developed as a player.
In the interview, Jack is asked if this is his international career starting “properly” following previous caps where he came off the bench or was deployed at right-back:
“Is that my international career now starting for real? I hope so. I’ve always said I want to play for Scotland and be a part of it so I hope that is the case. I hope I did enough here to get the nod again in the future. Obviously, I can’t decide that, but I enjoyed every minute of it against Cyprus”.
“Growing up, you always want to play for your country, you see the games at Hampden when there are full houses and the atmosphere that creates. You want to be part it. So it’s obviously a proud moment every time you get called up or get a cap. But I don’t want to stop. I want to keep going and I want more. Hopefully, this can be a box ticked and I get the nod in the future”.
Jack is highly rated by one of the world’s finest ever midfielders in Gerrard, it makes you wonder why it has taken so long for his own country to recognise his obvious talents and what he could bring to the national team.
Who has been Rangers best midfielder this season?
Ryan Jack
Steven Davis
Glen Kamara
Joe Aribo
Rangers fans will hope that Jack is given the night off against Kazakhstan as Scotland look to avenge the 3-0 defeat that saw the end of Alex McLeish’s reign earlier in the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, with nothing at stake other than three points and confirming third place in the group, Clarke may use the opportunity to give game time to some of his other squad members.
This season Jack has been Scotland’s form midfielder, along with John McGinn for Aston Villa, and his Europa League displays alone prove he can handle himself at the highest level, playing international football can only help his development and make him an even better player for his beloved Light Blues.