Ryan Jack looks set to join Rangers from Aberdeen this summer.
Alex McLeish
Ex-Rangers manager Alex McLeish has told the Glasgow Evening Times that Aberdeen fans should lay off midfielder Ryan Jack as he seemingly prepares to join Rangers.
Jack, 25, was born in Aberdeen and came up through the ranks with his hometown club, even becoming club captain at Pittodrie back in the summer of 2015.
The midfielder has racked up nearly 250 appearances for the Dons, but his time with the club appears to be coming to an end ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Sunday Post report that Jack has agreed a deal to join rivals Rangers on a free transfer when his contract expires this summer, with a medical set to seal his move to Ibrox.
Gers boss Pedro Caixinha will be delighted to not only be adding a key midfielder to his squad, but also taking an important player and a leader away from a direct rival.
Celtic’s Scott Brown (L) in action with Aberdeen’s Ryan Jack
Jack does still have one game left for Aberdeen though, and it’s a huge one, as Derek McInnes’ men take on Celtic in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park this coming weekend.
Jack will hope to sign off in style, and former Aberdeen hero Alex McLeish – an ex-Rangers manager – has told the Glasgow Evening Times that he thinks Jack will give his all for Aberdeen, just as he has throughout his time with the club.
Ryan Jack celebrates after scoring for Aberdeen
McLeish added that he hopes Aberdeen fans will respect Jack’s decision to move on and join Rangers, rather than criticise him throughout his final appearance for the club.
“I think they should lay off,” said McLeish. “He’s a professional, he has shown his strength as a captain. A lot of people like their own egos to be splashed across the papers but he’s a team player and a boy who will give everything for Aberdeen in this game. I’m sure the professionalism he has shown throughout his career at Aberdeen will shine through. I would play him in the cup final on Saturday, definitely.
“I don’t believe his mind will be straying elsewhere and I’m sure the majority of Aberdeen fans will get right behind him. You’ll get the occasional one who says he shouldn’t be going to Rangers and will hate him for the rest of their life because of it. But the modern day footballer has to do what he can for his career and they certainly have all the power nowadays because of the Bosman ruling. He’s also not won many trophies so he’ll be desperate to lift that cup. If he can leave Aberdeen on the high of lifting the Scottish Cup then it’s a memory that will live with him forever,” he added.
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