Steve Clarke is ‘pleased’ Ryan Jack is back fit and in the Scotland side after the Rangers star stomached a ‘really tough time’ out through injury, via quotes by the Glasgow Times.
Last year was almost a complete write off for the midfielder after sustaining a calf injury in February. The issue kept Jack out of action until November, but issues regaining his fitness ensured the 30-year-old could not make his proper return to action until the start of 2022.
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Starting roles in all four Europa League knockout fixtures with Borussia Dortmund and Red Star Belgrade have helped Jack since. He also opened the Gers’ Scottish Cup quarter-final win over Dundee earlier this month, plus three of five Premiership appearances this year.
His lengthy spell on the sidelines came at the worst time for Jack as it meant he missed out on representing Scotland at Euro 2020. The 11-cap ace had shown his vital importance to Clarke throughout 2020 to help seal the Tartan Army’s spot at the postponed competition.
But his absence has allowed others to rise to prominence, with Clarke citing Billy Gilmour as one he now rivals. Jack also replaced Callum McGregor as a late substitute at home to Poland in a friendly last Thursday as the Aberdeen native made his latest international cap.
Scotland boss Clarke ‘pleased’ Rangers ace Ryan Jack is fit after ‘tough’ injury
Rangers star Jack hitting the Hampden Park pitch and impressing in the draw with Poland delighted Scotland boss Clarke. The Tartan Army gaffer has also opened up on the Dons product’s difficulties with injury last year, and his appreciation for his rehabilitation efforts.
“It’s good, I’m really pleased for Ryan,” Clarke said. “It was a really tough time for him and he had to dig deep and get his work done properly. But you can see [it from] the way he’s come back, that he’s hit the ground running.
“So, he obviously did his rehab properly and trained very diligently. He’s back in good shape and it was just nice to see him back in a Scotland strip and running onto the pitch to represent his country.
“I know Ryan was pleased to be out there and it was nice to have him back. All my players are important to me. But Ryan, before the emergence of young Billy, was a key player in midfield… He’s a big player for us, and it’s great to have him back in the squad.”
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