Ryan Jack has played final Rangers fixture after what Steve Clarke said this week
Ryan Jack has surely played his last game for Rangers with his contract set to expire, after what Steve Clarke said this week.
The veteran central midfielder has made just 14 appearances for the Light Blues this season in all competitions, with no minutes since the Europa League exit to Benfica back in March due to injury.
But the 32-year-old was named in the provisional Scotland squad for Euro 2024 this week in a surprise move, and it was the comments of the national team boss that really made an impact.
“What he has to do is come into the camp, train well, hopefully I can give him some minutes on the pitch and he has to show everyone he is fit,” he said, as quoted by the Daily Record (22 May).
“I know he has been fit at his club for a couple of weeks now. They have chosen not to play him, that is their choice, but Ryan is fit and raring to go.”
Philippe Clement has made his mind up about Ryan Jack Rangers future
It’s clear as day now that regardless of fitness or availability, Clement simply has no plans for Jack to be part of his squad at Ibrox next season.
But even though there is still the Scottish Cup final to come against Celtic, it’s evident that the player will not be in any position to help the team in that game despite the fact he is available.
Jack was left out of the squad in nine of the last ten games, with one appearance on the bench in the middle of that run as an unused substitute.
However, with Clarke claiming that he has been fit “for a few weeks” and it’s just Clement’s choice to leave him out, then there is no way he will be getting a new deal to extend his stay beyond the current season.
At 32-years-old he is way past his best, and the team can’t rely on him to be fit anyway so it’s the right decision. But Clement has been ruthless with this approach and it’s a message to the rest of the group that passengers won’t be tolerated.
In other Rangers news, Barry Ferguson has reacted to “stunning” Ibrox transfer news.
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