Jack makes this Rangers team tick... he can drive them towards title glory
DORRANS INSISTS IBROX MIDFIELDER RYAN CAN GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH AFTER MASTERCLASS AGAINST DORTMUND
NO ONE can possibly argue that the crowning moments of Ryan Jack’s Rangers career, like his dominant role in bossing Borussia Dortmund, have come easily to him. As a friend of Jack and someone who has endured his own unfair share of lengthy lay-offs, Graham Dorrans could appreciate the Ibrox hero’s comments about the toil required to scale Thursday’s peak.
Dorrans checked in on his pal during those long, troubling months out injured over the past year.
False dawns and pain presented arduous tests to overcome for Jack to produce a stunning display in the Signal Iduna Park on only his second start since last February.
Yet Jack’s strength of character is no surprise to Dorrans, who witnessed his quality and mental toughness first hand as his Rangers team-mate in adversity.
Signing in the summer of 2017 made both Rangers men’s boyhood wishes come true.
However, the hazards of Progres Niederkorn, four red cards in 21 appearances and a forlorn pursuit of rampant Celtic were not how Jack dreamt it.
Yet, he emerged from a tough first campaign to be one of the club’s top performers under Steven Gerrard for three seasons, culminating in an historic title triumph last year.
Dorrans said: ‘When you look back, it was tough at Rangers when Jacko and I were there. Celtic were really good under Brendan Rodgers. We were disappointed not to be able to get better results, so I’m delighted they turned it around and he got that title.
‘It will always stick with me how, when Jacko came to Rangers, he really surprised me.
‘After watching him for Aberdeen, I didn’t realise he was as good as what he was.
‘I knew he was a good footballer but probably someone who didn’t stick out.
‘Then when he’s in your team and next to you, you see a wonderful player and really appreciate him.
‘Straight away from the first couple of training sessions I thought: ‘Yup, this guy’s a proper player’.
‘And against Dortmund the other night you could really see, on that stage, what Jacko brings to this Rangers team.’
If his mighty part in slaying the second best team in Germany 4-2 on their own patch is a signal of intent on his comeback from calf problems then Jack, who turns 30 next Sunday, has his best days ahead of him.
Dorrans is convinced they will be at Rangers, even though displays of that quality must bring him to the attention of English clubs.
The Dunfermline man said: ‘I think Steven Gerrard was great for Jacko. Someone of his stature who played that position giving him those accolades only did his confidence the world of good.
‘Hopefully, he can continue to push on under this manager and get even better because the sky’s the limit for him now as long as he stays fit.
‘For me, he’s definitely a player who could go down to England and play in the top league.
‘But, listen, he’s at an unbelievable club at the minute so, knowing Jacko, I’m not so sure he’d even want to think about going anywhere else.
‘He’s as big a Rangers fan as anyone out there. He’s going to give 110 per cent every time he goes out on the pitch.
‘He’ll want to stay, win many league titles, go on long European runs like they’re doing just now. He’s still got a lot to do there.’
The fanfare surrounding Aaron Ramsey’s arrival suggested it was a Juventus loanee who would provide the mid-season spark for Rangers.
Turns out, as Ramsey watched from the Parkhead stand, that Jack’s injury comeback and secondhalf performance in that 3-0 Old Firm defeat signalled a potential turning point.
Dorrans identifies Jack as vital to Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s title bid down the 12-game Premiership title stretch.
He said: ‘I know Jacko can be the difference-maker from now until the end of the season.
‘He’s been a huge miss. Sometimes if players are out for a long time, they get forgotten about a little bit.
‘So I was a wee bit concerned about that. But he’s proved since coming back that he’s not someone to forget about.
‘For me, he’s the first name on that team sheet now.
‘Coming on in the second half of the Old Firm game, which was a poor Rangers performance, he lifted them.
‘He’s got so much quality, he’s so comfortable on the ball, can get about the pitch, takes it anywhere, links defence to attack.
‘Thursday night was a 10 out of 10 performance against a world-class team with world-class players.
‘Considering the quality he was going up against in Dortmund, the fact he has managed to stand out speaks volumes for him.
‘There were a lot of boys out there who put in their best displays of the season.’
Dorrans, capped 12 times by Scotland, suffered ankle and knee injuries as the bulk of his time at Rangers was hampered by fitness woes.
He is thrilled, however, to note how good Jack looks after dragging himself through the misery of so many months out of action.
‘It has been immensely difficult for Jacko,’ said Dorrans. ‘I still speak to him quite a bit and know he’s been disappointed, a bit low through it all.
‘That’s part and parcel of football, injuries happen. But it’s never nice. And I know well how difficult it is to be out long-term.
‘I know the emotions, the feelings he’ll have gone through. Because, being out for so long, I know you think: ‘Can I get back to that level?’
‘He’s obviously had a really tough time but he’s mentally strong. I’d a couple of chats with him, said to keep going and work away.
‘But it’s never easy, no matter who you speak to, when you’re not on the pitch and sat in the gym looking out the window to see the boys train.
‘One thing I’ve noticed, particularly on Thursday, was the time he has spent in the gym while he has been out.
‘He has bulked up, he looks bigger on top. I think that has helped him as well. I’m absolutely delighted to see him come back in the manner he has.
‘He’s put in the work and looks every bit as good, if not better — and stronger.’