Ryan Jack reacts to Rangers transfer backlash after Ibrox exit under Philippe Clement
Ryan Jack has emphasised how Rangers must get a result against Motherwell after starting the season with a team featuring one new signing.
The former Gers midfielder spoke on The Warm-Up on 9 August, highlighting the fact that his nominal replacement Connor Barron was the only addition during the summer who featured in the starting XI as the Light Blues drew at Hearts on the opening day.
And with another draw away to Dynamo Kyiv following in midweek Philippe Clement is searching for a first win at Hampden on 10 August and Jack is clear that is needed amid a “backlash” over transfer activity.
He said (29m 10s): “You sign [Barron] for free from Aberdeen and he’s the only one that’s in the team when you play Hearts away, so I’ve seen there’s obviously been a bit of backlash on transfers and whatnot.
“I’ve touched on before that Rangers need to go and get a result this weekend and kickstart the season.
“You can’t leave it two, three, four, five games to be in that position and if it doesn’t go well the pressure builds and builds and then something breaks.”
Connor Barron only new Rangers starter at Hearts
Robin Propper surely has to join Barron in the line-up against Stuart Kettlewell’s side and many would like to see Raclav Cerny named in the XI as well after his assist for Cyriel Dessers in Europe.
But in a mark of the knock-on effect of how late Clement’s transfer business is being pushed towards the deadline the Belgian has revealed that the winger is still not fit to start [Rangers Review, 9 August].
Barron looks like he will develop into a very useful pick-up from Pittodrie but the 21-year-old alone is clearly not going to be enough to lift a side which squandered golden opportunities in the Scottish Premiership and the Scottish Cup last term.
He and Mohamed Diomande could be the central midfield partnership at Ibrox for years to come but they are both very young and Clement has been unable to secure a veteran presence alongside them.
A move for Kenny McLean appeared to be on the cards [Jonny McFarlane, 1 July] before that fell through, and the pursuit of Joan Jordan ended in confusion and disappointment [ABC, 29 July].
It has even been suggested there was a cut-price deal to be done to keep Jack himself in the squad despite his injury issues [Keith Jackson, 4 August] but clearly that hasn’t happened.
But he can see as clearly as the fans can that this squad is still far from finished and games are now rapidly passing with an understrength playing staff to contest them.
In other Rangers news, another loan-to-buy exit has been mooted with movement expected in days for an international ace to leave.
For more Rangers news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.