The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Jack’s Euro dreams ended as calf issues will need operation
Ryan Jack has seen his Euro 2020 dreams shattered after being told he will not play again for Rangers or Scotland this season.
The midfielder has struggled with a calf issue for the past two seasons and has not played since trudging off against Dundee United in February.
Now the 29-year-old has been told by a top London specialist he requires an operation to finally solve the problem and he will go under the knife next week.
It is a bitter blow for the former Aberdeen captain, who has already had to sit out Gers’ title run-in as they were crowned champions of Scotland for the first time in a decade.
Now Jack – who had established himself as a key man in the heart of Clarke’s midfield – faces the heart-breaking prospect of watching on from home as the Scots head to their first major finals since 1998.
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard delivered the shock update, saying: “All being well in terms of his rehab from the procedure that he will have next week, he should be due to return in pre-season at some stage.”
Clarke had been keeping his fingers crossed for a speedy recovery as his side prepare to take on the Czech Republic and Croatia at Hampden either side of a trip to face England at Wembley.
He said: “I’m hugely disappointed for Ryan as he deserved to be part of our squad for Euro 2020.”
Jack has missed 68 games through injury since moving to Ibrox in 2017 but Gerrard hopes the club have now finally found a solution to his injury problems.
“Next week some time he will have an important procedure that will hopefully, once he has recovered from that, mean he can play football matches consistently and he can be a help to us and Scotland moving forward.”
Jack’s news comes a day after Scotland forward Oli McBurnie was ruled out for the rest of Sheffield United’s season with a broken foot.
Steve Clarke was already sweating over the fitness of Kieran Tierney, who is in danger of missing the remainder of Arsenal’s campaign because of a knee injury.
Meanwhile, Gerrard revealed he could plunge skipper James Tavernier straight back into action in tomorrow’s Old Firm Scottish Cup clash.
The skipper has not featured since damaging knee ligaments in February but his boss said: “James will train with the team today full contact for the first time and it’s a situation we’ll make a real late call on.
“There’s still two big sessions but the good news he’s on the verge. Assuming he has two strong sessions will probably push me towards involving him.”