Jack has tools of the trade to sort away-day blues
RYAN JACK introduced the required composure to Rangers when there was the hint of a wobble at 1-0 against stubborn visitors FK Shkupi.
Now the returning midfielder hopes to bring some previous experience of the Philip II Arena to Steven Gerrard’s team from the start of the second leg.
Jack played in Macedonia’s national stadium in 2015 when, like this Rangers tie, Aberdeen’s Europa League qualifier against Shkendija was subject to a venue switch. The Dons drew 1-1 on that visit thanks to a Niall McGinn goal then advanced following a scoreless return tie at Pittodrie.
‘That was a tough night,’ recalled Jack. ‘Hot conditions, good pitch, good stadium. I’m looking forward to it. When you go away on European trips it’s great if you go over, do your job and win the game.
‘I think we’ve got the squad and players to handle any situation that’s thrown at us now. There’s no anxiety or panic. It’s just a case of go over there, play and get the club into the next round.
‘I think we have to be bang at it as soon as we get there. There’s no time to feel your way in or get used to the conditions. We’ll go over there, train and be used to it the day before so, when the game comes, we’ll be ready to go from the first whistle. You saw even on Thursday night, in spells, they’re a good side. Thankfully we got the second goal that gives us a good lead.’
A 56th-minute substitute for Daniel Candeias, Jack’s discipline in the middle of the park helped Rangers regain their grip on the contest and seize a two-goal advantage for their travels.
Gerrard has a host of midfield options in the most competitive department of his squad, including fellow sub Ovie Ejaria — a replacement for Scott Arfield on 67 minutes — whose work stretched the Macedonians before James Tavernier added the injury-time penalty to Jamie Murphy’s opener.
‘You have to think you can start,’ said Jack of the fierce competition for midfield places. ‘You can’t be in doubt or in fear. We want to have a strong squad because it’s a massive club and we want to compete in every competition.
‘It’s up to you every day in training and when you get minutes like I did on Thursday, even when you’re not starting, to try and show what you can do and get in the manager’s thoughts for the games coming up. He just said he wanted me to go on the pitch and try to make an impact. Try and keep the ball, compose the team.
‘I wouldn’t just say it’s the manager being a midfielder that can help you. Gary McAllister has been brilliant with all the midfielders, the whole squad as well. He’s brought a real freshness to it. He’s always enthusiastic and he’s got great ideas. The work we’ve done off the ball, on the ball and tactically, I’m only going to get better as a player.’
Playing in his first competitive game since being stretchered off with a bad knee injury last December against Motherwell, Jack took what he hopes was a significant step towards a happier second season with Rangers. Jack was sent off four times before his campaign was ended prematurely by a Cedric Kipre challenge the former Aberdeen captain described as ‘shocking’.
‘I’ve not really had a lot of minutes recently since my injury,’ said Jack. ‘I’m pleased to get those minutes on board and look forward to getting fitter and taking if from there. It’s been a long year.’