Jack: Let’s dominate from the start
● Midfielder urges Scots to lay down a marker in double-header against Israel
Ryan Jack has urged Scotland to impose their authority on Israel at Hampden on Friday night and set the tone for the Euro 2020 play-off semi-final b et ween the countries next month.
The revised inter national calendar means Scotland are kicking off their new Uefa Nations League campaign before the completion of the European Championship qualifying process which was postponed due to Covid-19.
Rangers midfielder Jack admit sit provides a nu nusual backdrop to this week’s Nations League Group B 2 opener against the Israel is who are then scheduled to return to H amp den for the delayed Euro 2020 play-off tie on 10 October. But Jack, hoping to win his fifth Scotland cap on Friday, believes it is an opportunity for Steve Clarke’s squad to secure a psychological edge against their rivals.
“It’s definitely a chance to lay down a marker,” said the 28-year-old. “It’s a bit strange that we are going to have a game against Israel before the play-off match.
“But it will give both teams a chance to look at each other. So it’s up to us to lay down a marker and say ‘This is what’s to come (next month)’.
“It’s important we get a couple of positive results d uring this international break, on Friday against Israel and then in the Czech Republic next Monday, and take all that momentum forward into the play-off.”
With the Euro 2020 finals put back a year to the summer of 2021 by the corona virus pandemic, Scotland’ s latest bid to qualify for a major tournament for the first time since 1998 has been extended.
Jack feels he and his teammates are in a fortunate position and is bullish about their prospects of beating Israel next month and then overcoming either Norway or Serbia away from home in the play-off final on 12 November.
“It is a great opportunity for us to really go and stamp our authority and show that we can be the ones that can take the country to a major finals,” he added.
“For us, the ones that are in the squad just now, we are the lucky ones that have got the chance to do that. The mentality going forward is to have a really strong couple of performances during this international break and then lead into next month.
“We know that is going to be make or break. As players, that is what you want to be involved in and I am sure, as players, we can step up and stamp our authority on it.”
They areuncom prom ising rivals in a Premiership campaign when the stakes have rarely been higher on the Old Firm battleground. But Ryan Jack has no doubt he and Callum Mcgregor can also be highly effective brothers in arms when it comes to Scotland’s quest for a place in next summer’s European Championship finals.
By the time that tournament comes around, either Mcgregor will be cele - brating a domestic season when Celtic have clinched an historic 10th consecutive league title or Jack will be savouring having helped Rangers dethrone their greatest foes.
For Scotland manager Steve Clarke, however, it is a burgeoning midfield partnership between the pair which offers huge encouragement ahead of the national team’s return to action against Israel on Friday night after a 10 -month hiatus.
Mcgregor and Jack combined impressively when they were deployed at the heart of Clarke’s side last November, their solidity and tactical awareness a key factor in the victories over Cyprus and Kazakhstan.
“The last couple of Scotland games, I really enjoyed it,” reflected Jack. “It was two strong team performances, I wouldn’t just say it was down to two individuals in Callum and me.
“But we got on really well during the game and as a team I thought we did well. Who ev - er the manager goes with, I am sure we will be looking to have two strong performances again against Israel and the Czech Republic during this international break.
“When you are playing at club level, it doesn’t matter who you are playing against, whether it is Celtic players, Aberdeen players or whoever it may be, it is always going to be fierce and there are always going to be battles. We are rivals.
”But when you come away with Scotland, it changes and you are all striving and pushing for the same objective for the nation and the countr y. When we come away, club level gets put to one side and that is the way it should be. When you play games, we are all striving to do well for Scotland.”
At 28, Jack is a late bloomer at international level as he prepares to earn just his fifth senior cap this week. But his excellent form for R angers, where he has become an influential figure under Steven Gerrard’s management, has strengthened his claim for a regular place in the Scotland starting eleven.
“It’s a hard battle in the midfield area,” he added. “There is a lot of talent in the Scotland squad when you look at the midfielders and there are so many playing at a top level, both domestically and in Europe.
“But it’s good because you come away and test yourself, and look to put in a shift to get in the manager’s thoughts and plans. This trip is no different. We all want to play but if you do well in training, then hopefully that’ll be enough.
“The plan is to take my club form into Scotland duty. Everything is going well at Rangers and it’s always an honour to get picked by Scotland.
“Personally, I am in a good place physically and mentally. I had a good pre-season and that always stands you in good stead going forward.
“I have played a lot of football since we started back. Hopefully I get the chance
“The plan is to take my club form into Scotland duty. Everything is going well at Rangers and it’s always an honour to be pick by Scotland”
RYAN JACK
to play in these games but there is a lot of hard work ahead.
“When the gaffer (Gerrard) first came to Rangers, I knew I would have to work hard. I’d just come off a bad injury and I hadn’t really played much football. It was going to be tough to work myself back and get into his plans.
“At the time, I would have thought that being in the position I am now would have been a fair bit away. But I just got my head down and worked hard at Rangers.
“Steve Clarke [pictured left] then came in as Scotland gaffer and really believed in me. He called me up, I get on great with him and now I am looking forward to being part of these games.”
Jack could be joined in the Scotland side by his club-mate Jon Mclaughlin, the former Hearts and Sunderland goalkeeper currently keeping Allan Mcgregor out of the R angers side since his summer move to Ibrox.
Mclaughlin, pictured, has been part of a Rangers defence which has started the league season with a Scottish record-equalling six consecutive clean sheets, while recent Scotland No 1 David
Marshall has not played a competitive fixture since March.
“I don’t know if it really affects goalkeepers too much in terms of how much football they play,” said Jack. “The only thing I can say is that I have played with both internationally and now
Jon at club level and they are both top, top goal - keepers. I am sure they will both be fighting to get the number one spot.
“Jon has been excellent for Rangers so far. A ll anMc greg or had a knock and that is how Jon has go this chance. I had been in Scotland squads before with Jon so I knew what he was capable of and I am sure he will be pushing and trying to be number one.
“But David has been a very strong goalkeeper over the years and I am sure he will want to be number one as well. It is tough competition all over the pitch and that is the way it should be at international level.”