RYAN JACK has had all of the plaudits and heard all of the praise. Now the Rangers midfielder wants prizes.
If Steven Gerrard’s side are to achieve that ambition this term, Jack will have a huge part to play. The Premiership title is the priority, but it is the Betfred Cup that is the next on the to-do list as attentions turn from Ross County to Hearts.
The two goals that Jack scored in Dingwall on Wednesday night, plus the brace that Alfredo Morelos netted either side of them, ensured Rangers remain level on points with Old Firm rivals Celtic at the top of the table.
Gerrard was once again effusive in in praise of Jack and supporters have been delighted with the start to the campaign from a number of Gers players.
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But Jack knows as well as anyone at Ibrox that it is silverware that really matters as Rangers look to avoid the early exits that left them empty-handed last term.
He said: “We are going well and there is no doubt we are a good side but, as we have said before, we have not done anything and not won anything yet. There is still a long way to go but we know where we want to be and where we want to get to. Sunday is another big game but we want to get to a cup final and we want to get the fans to a cup final.
“Of course it hurt [last season] but in football you have got to move on and there is no time to dwell and think too much in the past. It is a different squad, a different season. It is a lot stronger squad this season.
“We are playing well, there is nothing for us to fear and we are looking forward to the game. We will have another big support there and we want to get to the cup final.
“It is a big pitch and I don’t know [how the new players will fare] because this is the first time we have played there as a squad this season. We are looking forward to the game.
“We are excited about the game, excited to try and get the club to a cup final and, as players, that is the platform that we want to play on.”
The performance that Rangers produced against County was one of their most impressive on the road domestically this season.
Jack was at the heart of it. His goals, of course, were crucial, but his overall levels have been exceptional for some time as he reaps the rewards of working with Gerrard and assistant manager Gary McAllister.
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Jack said: “Yeah, I would definitely say it is up there [with the best form of my career] and it helps with the guys that I am playing alongside every week and training alongside every day. The staff have been excellent as well. It is all going good at the minute and we just want to keep that going.
“Just learning from them (Gerrard and McAllister), you see the way they went about their business and how they played the game.
“If we can get inside and I can pick their brains every day about how they see the game then that is only going to benefit me.
“I wouldn’t say the manager is too full on, he just gives you that freedom and says go and express yourself and do what you do every day in training. For me, that works perfectly.
“I wouldn’t say it is every day but if there is anything they see that they want to clarify or clear up they will let you know.
“And vice versa, if you have got any questions the manager says his door is always open. They are two legends of the game and it is a privilege to learn from them.”
Jack would only spend 63 minutes on the park at the Global Energy Stadium as Gerrard rested him ahead of the Hearts clash.
His early exit from the action denied him the chance to get the first hat-trick of his career after a superb brace of perfectly placed strikes before the break.
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He was pleased to play his part and the match minutes were crucial for the midfielder.
Jack said: “I have just come back after three weeks out with the tear in my calf. I am obviously delighted to be back and the medical team did a brilliant job to get me back last Thursday. To get the minutes in on Wednesday was good.
“We have got a semi-final on Sunday and another big week after that. There are a lot of games coming thick and fast and I just need to make sure I am right.”
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