Rangers injury news as Philippe Clement shares Ryan Jack update as Scotland retirement talks mooted
Philippe Clement has provided an update on Ryan Jack’s fitness and has admitted that the Rangers midfielder may need to consider international retirement.
The 31-year-old missed the Light Blues 1-1 draw with Aberdeen on Sunday (26 November) having picked up a knock in Scotland’s final international match of 2023 against Norway having been introduced as a late substitute.
Jack dismissed any suggestion that he was closing in on international retirement back in March, believing that he was more than capable of playing for both his club and country, but Clement has admitted that he may have to revisit this conversation after his latest injury woes.
As quoted by the Daily Record (27 November) he said: “We can think about that. I’ve been in that situation also as a player when in one moment you feel your body is getting more difficulty in coping with both [club and country] because you never have a rest moment.
“We will see in the next couple of weeks if we need to have this talk or not. But first I want to speak with my medical staff about those things.
“We don’t know [long Ryan will be out for] yet. I don’t think it will be something for a long time, more a short time, but I don’t know if he’s going to be ready for Thursday night.
“I think it will be on the edge.”
Big decision to make
Since Clement arrived at Ibrox, Jack has proven to be a crucial part of his Rangers team, forming a reliable and steady midfield partnership with John Lundstram that has provided a base for the Gers’ attacking talent to flourish from.
Few would have expected the 31-year-old to be such a regular under the Belgian’s management, but Clement’s hand has been slightly forced as a result of the injury struggles of Nicolas Raskin and the indifferent form of Jose Cifuentes.
That good form has ensured however that when fit he will be included in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squads as he offers an experienced head in the heart of midfield. Unfortunately for Rangers, that increases the likelihood of him picking up an injury during the international break.
Clement may well be keen for Jack to hang up his international boots to ensure that he remains fit and available for Rangers, but it is not going to be easy to convince a proud Scotsman to miss out on a major tournament this summer, especially when he doesn’t have a contract at Ibrox beyond the end of the season.
In other Rangers news, Chris Sutton has named two players from the Gers’ draw with Aberdeen in his Scottish Premiership team of the week