Keith Jackson shares international view as Rangers player Ryan Jack in odd Scotland position
Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack and Celtic captain Callum McGregor might make the “oddest couple” in international football as the pair ready themselves to start in the heart of Steve Clarke’s Scotland midfield together, according to Keith Jackson.
The two midfielders must put aside their club allegiances for the time being, which saw Celtic draw first blood this season by winning the Viaplay Cup final, to strike up a partnership for their country.
The Tartan Army start their Euro 2024 qualification campaign on Saturday (25 March) with a home match against Cyprus before hosting Spain at Hampden Park the following Tuesday (28 March).
Writing in his weekly column for Daily Record, Jackson admitted that the “fiery” Gers midfielder Jack will have put his domestic feuds with McGregor to bed and focus on working together in Scotland’s engine room.
“They’re probably already sick of the sight of one another in their day jobs,” he wrote.
“And with three more Old Firm squabbles to be settled before the season comes to a close, there’s a very good chance they’ll end up at each other’s throats before they take a bit of time out for the summer. But, for the next few days at least, Ryan Jack and Callum McGregor can call a truce on their ongoing domestic feuds to pull together for the sake of the nation. Again.
“The fiery Rangers lynchpin and the ice-cold captain of Celtic might make the oddest couple in Scottish football.”
Awkward
This is far from the ideal situation for Jack to find himself in, but he must put the fierce Old Firm rivalry on the back burner while the national team look to qualify for the Euros.
Although a strange combination to think about, Jack and McGregor is a strong-looking midfield and an engine room that has enough quality in it to match most top teams across Europe.
Jack has been awarded a new lease of life under Michael Beale recently, looking at home at the base of the Gers midfield and striking up a strong partnership with Nicolas Raskin.
With the 31-year-old’s contract at Ibrox expiring at the end of the season, Beale faces a tough decision whether he keeps the Scotsman on at the club.
But with the likes of Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent and Allan McGregor all looking to be heading for the exit door at the end of the season, keeping Jack at the club could be the smart move.
In other Rangers news, more issues could emerge in the Ibrox boardroom over a cash injection.