Gers star reaping the rewards after gruelling summer fitness regime

RYAN JACK knew this season was going to be career-defining category for both Rangers and Scotland.

The necessity to stop Celtic reaching nine in a row. The craving to end a 22-year wait for Scotland to reach a major finals.

The intensity of the campaign cranks up a notch with every passing week.

That’s why during the summer the midfielder steeled himself for a relentless journey at home and abroad and is now paying the dividends as he enjoys the form of his life.

But there’s no time to rest on his laurels.

Steven Gerrard’s side face seven Premiership matches including trips to Pittodrie, Easter Road and Parkhead as well as Europa League deciders

BY FRASER WILSON against Feyenoord and Young Boys in the next five weeks.

In the middle of it all, of course, is the Betfred Cup Final against Celtic.

Jack channelled his inner Fatboy Slim as he opened up on the ‘game, train, recover, repeat’ cycle he and his team-mates are following ahead of the winter avalanche of fixtures.

Throw in the midfielder’s bid to help Scotland end their 22-year wait to reach a major finals and the strain on mind and body becomes clear. But he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Asked if he felt he had ever been in better form, Jack said: “No, to be honest I don’t think I have. In the summer I just went away and got my head down.

“I thought if I want to be part of a big season then I’m going to have to work hard and that’s mainly all it is – hard work.

“It’s a tough schedule and there’s no doubt there’s a lot of high-pressure games. But you’re at a big club and that’s how you want it. Maybe at the end of the season I’ll notice if it’s tiring but it’s just game, train, recover, game, train, recover and your body gets into a routine.

“I don’t think you really need to lift yourself. You’re playing for a big club and as soon as you put that jersey on there’s an expectation to win.

“You come to Scotland and play alongside top-class players and there’s an expectancy, from the supporters and staff, to go and win games.

“We’ll all go back to our clubs