Ryan Jack set for Ibrox return this week as startling Rangers admission made
Ryan Jack will be back at Ibrox to watch Thursday’s Europa League clash against Braga, but is not expecting the atmosphere he once played under.
Braga have been backed to beat Rangers, with Danny Rohl‘s side sitting at the very bottom of the Europa League first-stage table.
The Gers have lost all four of their games in the competition so far, scoring just one goal and conceding eight.
But after Rangers beat Livingston 2-1 in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, Rohl will be confident that his team can record their first European three points of the season.
Rohl is expected to make two changes to his Rangers team to face Braga, with the German dealing with a slight injury crisis in defence.
Ryan Jack provides harsh truth in Ibrox verdict
Jack left Rangers on a free transfer in 2024, with the midfielder now plying his trade in Turkey with Esenler Erokspor.
The 33-year-old spent seven years at Ibrox, making over 210 appearances and playing under several managers.
| Ryan Jack | Rangers |
| Appearances | 210 |
| Goals | 16 |
| Assists | 15 |
| Honours | 4 |
Jack was part of the iconic Rangers team that won the Scottish Premiership under the management of Steven Gerrard, and part of the side that made it to the Europa League final under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Knockout stage victories over Red Star Belgrade, Braga and RB Leipzig saw the Gers make it to the final in Seville, where they heartbreakingly lost on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Throughout the tournament, Rangers relied heavily on their terrific home form, a facet that, in an admission that fans will not like to hear, Jack thinks has been lost in recent years.
“Back then we felt that with the power of the fans at Ibrox and with the togetherness of the team we were a match for anyone,” the midfielder told The Scottish Sun on Wednesday.
“You see it now, it doesn’t have that same effect on away teams. I watch the games and now the away teams come and they seem to enjoy it.”
“I’m sure the club can get it back,” he added. “The fan base is still there. The fan base will still turn up every week. It’s just playing a certain way to get them behind you.”
Jack hoping to see Ibrox of old after hierarchy news
Rangers announced the departures of Kevin Thelwell and Patrick Stewart this week, in news that came as a great relief for the fanbase.
The pair had been massively unpopular at Ibrox, and Jack is hopeful that the news will galvanise the stadium for Thursday’s clash.
“There were a lot of protests and complaints with the manager,” he explained. “Then with Stewart and Thelwell.
“But the club and the powers that be have made the changes and I’m sure on Thursday night the fans will be right behind the team. I’m going to watch the game as a fan and hopefully they can get the job done.”
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