‘I was fuming’ – Ex-Ferguson assistant on heated moment with Rangers ace Ryan Jack
Ryan Jack is considered one of the more aggressive players in the Rangers squad and it’s an attribute that has helped him earn a place under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
The 29-year-old has always had that bite to his game and his personality according to his former coach Archie Knox, who worked with Jack at Aberdeen.
Speaking to the Scottish Sun, Knox recalled the incident when Jack gained his respect despite his overriding anger at the time.
“He was in the Aberdeen team at 18 and could stand up for himself straight away,” Knox said.
“Occasionally, though, I had to clip his wings because he was so headstrong. I remember we were playing at Hibs and I shouted some ‘advice’ from the dugout.
“Without breaking stride, he just turned around and told me to ‘[swear] off. I was fuming and told Wee Broon to haul him off.
“Jack was a young boy and just in the team. It showed he had something about him. Once I calmed down I actually had some respect for him. You like to see your players fired up and prepared to give a bit back.”
The crucial ingredient
Every manager worth their salt desires a player like Jack who is up for the fight and won’t take anything lying down.
His natural aggressiveness and determination has got him to where he is on merit and he is becoming a key figure in van Bronckhorst’s setup.
He might not play every game from the start but he is the number one call for the Dutchman whenever he needs someone to ruffle a few feathers within the laws of the game.
Rangers really needed him in the first half of the Old Firm derby against Celtic as no one could get a foot in and control the game in a blue shirt.
He came on at half-time and the Light Blues looked far better for it as he began to add control to the midfield along with his trademark nipping at opponents heels.
Jack should be a mainstay in the Gers’ midfield alongside Joe Aribo and Glen Kamara to see them to the title come May.
In other Rangers news, our predicted XI for the Hibernian game sees a surprise name dropped having scored against Hearts last time out.