The return of Ryan Jack into Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side has seen an upturn in results, and it’s no coincidence that we have struggled in games in which he has needed to be rested.
Incredibly, he doesn’t seem to have suffered any side effects to being out injured for so long and, if anything, has come back even stronger. He now needs to continue to build up his tolerance to the stresses of match play with the dream being that one day he will be able to play more often than not.
His recall to the international team shouldn’t be feared as it allows him to continue his progress, the fact that Scotland are playing two friendlies is also a bonus, he won’t be expect to play 90 minutes in both games but should get enough to keep him ticking over.
Catch up with Ryan Jack, as we take a walk around the Scotland HQ at @OriamScotland.
He chats being back in the squad, missing out on the EUROs and that special night we qualified in Belgrade. pic.twitter.com/77Imx5ASr8
— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) March 24, 2022
Speaking to the Scotland media team, the Rangers midfielder explained how hard it was watching the national side at a major tournament when he had played such a key role in getting there only to miss out:
“There’s no doubt it was probably the toughest time I’ve had in my career. It was bad news after bad news.
“Obviously, helping playing a part in getting to the Euros and then having to watch at the side. Don’t get me wrong, I watched the games and the boys did very well but it was a tough time.
“But I’ve always said if you get through those times, if you focus on goals ahead. One of those goals, for me, was to get back in this squad and hopefully play a part.
“Hopefully, I can play a part in the next two games, get the shirt back on and contribute to a couple of good results.”
Jack is the perfect midfielder for GvB’s system and we have seen with John Lundstram, in particular, how much of a difference he makes and it is exactly the same with Scotland.
Hopefully he is now over the worst of his injury problems and can play a consistent role for the new management team, for a player that was written off by so many to now be so important says it all about his mentality, a contract extension once seemed unlikely but is now a necessity.