Ryan’s up for scrap
Ryan Jack isn’t scared of a fight with new boys Lassana Coulibaly and Ovie Ejaria for a midfield spot.
The Ibrox ace is back from injury, fully fit and desperate to cement a spot in Steven Gerrard’s line-up.
He came off the bench in last week’s Europa League first-leg against FC Shkupi and earned praise from gaffer Steven Gerrard.
Now Jack wants to get the nod for the return in Macedonia on Tuesday. He insists he’s not fazed by the summer arrivals of Coulibaly and Ejaria on loan from Angers and Liverpool respectively.
Ahead of the second leg against Shkupi on Tuesday, he said: “I believe I can be a regular starter.
“You can’t have doubts or fears. We want a strong squad because we are a massive club that wants to compete for every trophy.
“It’s up to me every day to show what I can do and get in the manager’s thoughts for the games coming up.”
Jack admits he was frustrated at having to sit out six months last season after a knee injury in December.
He said: “It has been a long year,
“Of course, it’s different from playing. You have to deal with an awful lot more thinking and preparation.
“You have to make big decisions and some of them have nothing to do with football.
“But I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t driven by success. I want to give this job everything. I know I’m in a huge job at a big club so I have to keep improving.” tough and frustrating. But I’ve worked hard to get back and feel as fit as ever.
“The only thing I’m missing is the football, in terms of minutes and hopefully that will come.
“It has been up and down for me at Rangers so far. But this can be a fresh start – Thursday night can be a new beginning.”
Rangers secured a 2-0 victory over Shkupi to take into the second leg in Skopje but Jack insists they’ll have to be on their guard.
He has experienced the heat of Macedonia before, when Aberdeen drew 1-1 with Shkendija in the qualifiers three years ago.
And the 26-year-old is taking nothing for granted.
He said: “Over there, we’ll have to be bang at it from the off.
“It was a tough night when I was there for Aberdeen. The conditions were so hot.
“The European trips are great but only if you get the job done.
“Playing these teams can be difficult, there are no easy ones now. You need to be at it right away and if it isn’t going your way you can’t feel sorry for yourself.”