Gerrard: Ryan’s not the man to play right role
Steven Gerrard believes Ryan Jack should be in the Scotland squad – but not to play at right-back.
The midfielder was overlooked by national team boss Alex McLeish for the Nations League games against Albania and Israel.
One of Scotland’s problem positions is at right-back.
Kilmarnock’s Stephen O’Donnell was criticised for his performance during the embarrassing defeat in Israel.
The only real alternative seems to be switching Kieran Tierney to the right. Jack played as a stop-gap right-back against Holland last November.
He was picked by interim boss Malky Mackay for the 1-0 defeat at Pittodrie.
Scotland’s recent struggles have led to some suggestions that Jack might not be the worst option to play in defence, but his club manager doesn’t agree.
Gerrard said: “I don’t see him as a right-back. But I’m not the Scotland manager and I don’t have to pick a squad for Scotland.
“I’ll never use Ryan Jack as a right-back – unless it’s a very desperate situation that everyone was injured who could possibly play there.
“I see him as holding midfielder.
“In terms of his form – when he’s been fit and available for me – yes, 100% he should be in the squad.”
Gerrard’s immediate problem is to break down the Motherwell defence at Ibrox this afternoon.
He admits that finding a creative player to conjure up openings is something he may look for in the future.
He said: “We have people here who can do that — Scott Arfield, Ovie Ejaria, Daniel Candeias, maybe more.
“What we haven’t got is a natural No. 10, someone who is described as No. 10 and that’s his job. “Maybe in the future that might be an area we look at.”
Croatian full-back Borna Barisic remains side-lined with a muscle injury, but Kyle Lafferty (inset) could return.
Gerrard added: “Lassana Coulibaly will be missing. He’s had a bereavement in his family.
“He found out on Thursday and still played in Moscow, believe it or not.
“That was only brought to my attention after the game. He didn’t tell us about it because he wanted to start.
“He’s gone back home to Paris and then onto Mali to deal with that situation.”