Why ex-Rangers ace Ryan Jack is back at Auchenhowie

It's been over two years since Ryan Jack left Rangers.

The now-34-year-old midfielder left Ibrox on a free transfer in the summer of 2024.

Jack spent seven seasons in Govan, racking up 210 appearances and scoring 16 goals in the royal blue.

He was of course part of the Rangers side that most recently lifted the Scottish Premiership trophy in 2020-21.

The 20-cap Scotland international is fondly remembered amongst the Ibrox faithful as being an uber-reliable player whenever he was called upon.

And now, he's back at Auchenhowie as he looks to take the next steps in his career.

What has Ryan Jack said about his return to Rangers' training facility?

Just as Rangers often leant on him to steer them through tough games and be that reliable midfield presence, Jack is now doing the same with his former club.

The veteran has spent the last two seasons with Turkish side Esenler Erokspor, who play in Turkey's second tier.

Having left them earlier this summer, however, Jack is now on the free agent market and doesn't seem ready to hang up his boots just yet.

As detailed in a report via The Scottish Sun, Jack has been allowed to train with Rangers at Auchenhowie in order to maintain his fitness.

"It is pretty much out of the way (injury). It is just this time of season when you are out of contract you just want to keep fit," Jack told the Go Radio Football Show.

“I am just into the Rangers training ground working away with the physio and performance staff and also doing some gym work, so yeah feeling good.”

So, how did Jack get on with Esenler Erokspor, and do his numbers suggest he could be in with a chance of winning a Rangers contract?

Where Jack led all Turkish 1.Lig players in 2025-26

Class is often permanent when it comes to top players, especially central midfielders.

Jack was always a smart, classy footballer during his time with Rangers, and despite his growing age, the game clearly isn't moving too quick for him.

He played 55 times for Erokspor over the last two seasons, and turned out in 28 of their 38 Turkish 1.Lig games last term.

Per FotMob, no defensive midfielder in that division completed more passes (64.2) or had a higher duels won rate (65.2 per cent) than Jack in 2025-26.

Jack also won every single one of his seven aerial duels, created 1.43 chances per game and scored three times as well as providing one assist.

Clearly then, Jack still has considerable fuel left in the tank, and whilst it's unlikely, Derek McInnes should at least take a look at his status with a potential contract offer in mind.

He could be a shrewd short-term depth piece after Connor Barron's late loan departure to Middlesbrough this summer.