RYAN JACK: BOO BOYS COULDN’T SPOIL MY CAP DEBUT
RYAN JACK has told the Tartan Army boo brigade their shameful jeering failed to ruin his proud debut night for Scotland and will never douse his desire to represent the national team.
The ex-Aberdeen captain (right) revealed he was barracked as soon as he stepped off the team bus on Thursday as he returned to Pittodrie for the first time since leaving for Rangers.
Jack played the entirety of the 1-0 loss to Holland and was subjected to booing when on the ball and taking throw-ins close to the fans.
However, the Ibrox midfielder shrugged off the unsavoury incidents and stressed they did not spoil the special feeling of winning a first cap.
‘I got booed coming in off the bus and you get booed when you get the ball but, look, we’re up in Aberdeen,’ said the 25-year-old. ‘The majority are Aberdeen fans who are here supporting Scotland — I knew that before the game.
‘I just wanted to concentrate on my football and make the most of my first cap for my country. I wasn’t at all surprised, you deal with it. You concentrate fully on the game.
‘It’s part and parcel of football and that doesn’t bother me at all. I wanted to make the most of the whole week. Anything other than that, I wasn’t interested in.
‘During the game I don’t really take notice of anything apart from what’s on the pitch. Obviously when I had a throw-in on the far side a couple of times... but, look, it’s part of football. I just wanted to enjoy my first cap for my country — and that’s certainly what I did.’
When it was put to him that such hounding shouldn’t occur on Scotland service, Jack said: ‘It’s not me that makes that decision, people just express how they feel and I just need to deal with that.’
Jack did have cheerleaders at Pittodrie — 15 friends and family watched him play right-back for interim boss Malky Mackay.
‘For my dad seeing me make my Scotland debut, I’m sure he was the proudest man there,’ said Jack. ‘You do it for your family, you do it for your friends. I’m sure everyone is proud.’