Ryan Jack in fresh injury setback as midfielder's return to Rangers squad is delayed

Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack has suffered a further delay to his comeback from injury and will now miss the Boxing Day clash with Hibs at Ibrox.

Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack's season has been disrupted by injuries. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

The Scotland international has not played since he had to be substituted after 56 minutes of the Scottish Premiership leaders’ 4-0 home win against his former club Aberdeen on November 22.

Jack did return to training earlier this week with Rangers assistant manager Gary McAllister expressing optimism he would be back in the squad for the visit of third-placed Hibs.

But the 28-year-old will instead miss a 10th consecutive match after Rangers manager Steven Gerrard revealed the player’s condition continues to cause some concern.

"Unfortunately, Ryan won’t be back for the Hibs game,” said Gerrard. “It has taken a little bit longer than we thought, so that is just not clear at the moment. I don’t really want to rush that, so he won’t be available for the next game.”

Jack, who has been managing a knee problem for the last couple of seasons, has been one of Gerrard’s stand-out performers when he has been involved this season as Rangers have surged into a 16-point lead in the Premiership title race and reached the last 32 of the Europa League. He also played a crucial role in Scotland’s success in reaching a first major tournament finals since 1998 when they defeated Serbia in their Euro 2020 play-off final last month.

But this is now the second time Jack’s campaign has been disrupted by injury. He also limped out of Rangers’ match against Dundee United at Ibrox on September 12 after just 11 minutes and missed the next four games.

While Gerrard’s defensive midfield options are still well served by the presence of Steven Davis, Glen Kamara and recent recruit Bongani Zungu, he regards Jack as a key component of his side and will hope he can return in time for the second Old Firm game of the season at Ibrox on January 2.

Rangers’ only other injury issue at the moment is long-term absentee Nikola Katic as the Croatian defender continues his rehabilitation from a cruciate knee injury suffered in pre-season.

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