Ryan Jack named in Scotland squad despite injury concern after Rangers absences
Steve Clarke has named Ryan Jack in his latest Scotland squad despite calling the Rangers midfielder a ‘doubt’ after missing the last four Gers games.
Jack has endured an injury-hit campaign this season and his recent absence follows a long lay-off in the middle of the winter schedule where he missed 14 games before returning v Ross County on January 23.
His comeback went swimmingly as he scored twice in six games before succumbing to injury yet again v Dundee United on February 21.
Steven Gerrard said in his pre Slavia Prague press conference last Wednesday that he was adopting a more cautious approach to Jack this time around and he subsequently missed the first-leg clash despite being deemed medically fit [Rangers FC Twitter].
But Gerrard is unlikely to be impressed by his inclusion in the latest Scotland squad for the Tartan Army’s triple-header in March against Austria, Israel and Faroe Islands.
Appearing on Sky Sports News [13:00, 16/03/21] to discuss his selections Scotland boss Clarke said: “Ryan Jack is an injury doubt, I’ve named him in the squad and I’m hoping he’ll get some good training in this week and be involved with us, but always in the back of your mind you need an alternative.”
There are likely to have been discussions between club and national team but we think Gerrard will be privately seething.
He has been without one of his key men for large parts of the season and while the likes of Glen Kamara and Joe Aribo have stepped up admirably he will be fearful that a relapse could occur if Jack is left out of sight.
We all know the trials and tribulations that international breaks bring – injuries are a common occurrence as national team bosses put self over side and focus on their own issues.
This is the start of Scotland World Cup qualification campaign and while we appreciate the importance of getting off to a good start the fact remains that it is still early days and players do not need to be risked unnecessarily.
Hopefully Jack gets some minutes in the second leg v Slavia or in Sunday’s Old Firm but if not he will be heading to the national team with no minutes under his belt for over a month.
If he is risked against a minnow like Faroe Islands and suffers an injury all hell will break loose in the Rangers ranks and Gerrard will have every right to feel aggrieved and may just reconsider his Scotland stance in the future.
Clarke needs to err on the side of caution with this one.
In other Rangers news, Brian Laudrup backs dribbling duo to unlock Slavia defence.