Ryan Jack return mooted on pay-per-play deal as permanent Rangers exits confirmed
Ryan Jack’s confirmed Rangers exit “might not be a good idea” when he is still good enough to make the Scotland squad, according to David Tanner.
The talkSPORT broadcaster reacted via Twitter on 1 June after the club announced the midfielder was one of five players leaving Ibrox when their contracts expire this month, suggesting the 32-year-old could return on a new deal which only pays him according to how often he plays after extensive injury issues.
Borna Barisic and John Lundstram, both expected to sign for Trabzonspor, as well as Jon McLaughlin and Kemar Roofe are also leaving, but Tanner feels Jack is a player Philippe Clement still needs and has been left uneasy by the prospect of his departure.
The Scot only managed 22 appearances across all competitions this season but was named in Steve Clarke’s provisional squad for Euro 2024.
Tanner wrote: “I can’t help thinking that freeing a player still good enough to make the Scotland squad might not be a good idea.
“I understand fitness has been a problem with Ryan Jack, but he’s exactly the type of Scottish player Rangers need more off. A pay-per-play deal?”
Could Philippe Clement bring Ryan Jack back to Rangers?
At his best Jack probably starts for this Light Blues side but when he is so rarely able to feature at all that becomes a moot point and the club can’t afford to keep players on the wage bill who they can’t rely on.
In theory a pay-as-you-play contract would remove the risk for the club, but whether that would suit the man himself is entirely another matter, especially if he has any other offers on the table.
And while Clement made very clear how much he wanted Lundstram to stay and didn’t get his way there hasn’t been the same indication from the Belgian that he is convinced by the Jack.
As with a late extension for Leon Balogun [Scottish Sun, 27 May] there is some logic in looking at a way to keep Jack involved, but in light of his lack of availability for multiple seasons now seems like the right time to move on.
And going after a relatively cheap replacement such as Aberdeen’s Connor Barron would also feel like more of a step forward when the squad clearly needs to evolve.
But if Clement and Nils Koppen are going to have the budget to carry out a more successful overhaul than Michael Beale conducted a year ago they are going to have to be smart about where they spend money.
A move for Hearts star Lawrence Shankland or attempts to make Abdallah Sima and Oscar Cortes’ loans permanent won’t be cheap so it might be necessary to look for bargain options elsewhere.
In other Rangers news, the Light Blues have decided to sell a sought-after first-team player and are now hoping to make a surprise profit on the deal.
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