Rangers must find a compromise with Ryan Jack on a new contract due to his injury problems, claims Jonny McFarlane.
The journalist has suggested that Rangers need to be careful with Jack’s prospective new contract, with his fitness problems potentially seeing the Gers pay out to a player who’s become worryingly injury-prone.
The 30-year-old last penned a new deal at Ibrox in 2019 which saw his deal extended until 2023, but with 18 months remaining and fitness problems mounting, there’s real concern over the boyhood Rangers fan’s future.
Since the turn of the 2020/21 season, the Scottish midfielder has missed 84 games due to injury – in that same time, he’s featured only 61 times.
This has unsurprisingly left fears over the midfielder’s future, with McFarlane claiming on The Rangers Review that radical ideas may be discussed in order for both parties to find a balance when it comes to any extension in the offing.
He said: “Obviously there’s a serious issue over the last few seasons with Ryan Jack.
“I think if you look at Ryan Jack’s performances in the big games for Rangers – last season, he scores the decisive goal in the Scottish Cup final; he is absolutely imperative to that run to Seville, it literally wouldn’t have happened if Giovanni van Bronckhorst hadn’t found that midfield base with Ryan Jack and John Lundstram.
“So we know that he’s still got it, it’s just whether or not you think the amount of games he’s playing makes it worthwhile.
“If you can do some sort of deal with him whether it’s pay-as-you-play or it’s taking into account the fact that he’s probably only going to play 25-35 games, I think you would want to keep Ryan Jack around.”
TIF Thoughts on McFarlane’s comments…
Jack’s situation at the club seems stable at the minute, but the second half of the campaign may be a huge factor in his career.
So far this campaign, the Scotsman has fared better in terms of fitness but has still seen a calf problem disrupt the World Cup run-in. Although, considering the previous seasons that saw him unavailable for more than he played, it isn’t too daunting just yet.
Featuring 16 times in all competitions, he’s completed 90 minutes only four times – though this is double the amount he completed in the entirety of last season.
Jack’s troubles have been a serious problem and have seen his game time drop to more of a squad player’s rather than that of a nailed-on starter, so the second half of the campaign will be huge for both parties, who will be praying for an injury-free run if there is to be a potential new deal.