AS a player and a person, Ryan Jack is just the kind of man that Steven Gerrard wants in his team.
A bond that was struck in the early days of Gerrard's reign at Rangers has only grown stronger in the months that have followed. Jack is not just a hugely influential member of the side, he is a key figure in the dressing room.
The midfielder has been noticeable by his absence in recent days and his return to action this week is timely for Rangers as Gerrard prepares for the trip to Rugby Park this evening and visit of Livingston on Saturday afternoon.
It says much about Jack's influence on, and importance to, Rangers that Gerrard has been asked about him on almost every occasion since he was forced off in the damaging defeat to Hearts last month.
As he looked ahead to the clash with Kilmarnock, Gerrard was finally able to deliver the news that he wanted to and the update that fans have been waiting for.
Time will tell if Jack gets the nod to start or not having missed the matches with Ross County, Aberdeen, Hibernian and Hamilton. But there is no doubt that Rangers are stronger with him now available for selection once again following a calf problem.
The form that Jack has produced this term marks him out as one of Gerrard's main players. He is also one of his most reliable men at Ibrox.
“I’ll always trust my medical team, the doctor and the physios,” Gerrard said.
“We’ve got good strong people here and of course I will listen to Ryan. If there is any doubt or I’m told there is any risk I will try and protect him but sometimes you have to listen to the player and trust his judgement on certain things.
“We will go from there but the good thing is that he is back available and I will make the decision whether that’s from the beginning or coming into the game. We will wait and see.
“I think it has been clear from the get-go, from the very first conversation I had man-to-man with him, the very first session, that he was so keen to let us know that he was on the journey. That is what stuck out pretty well.
“The way he lives his life around the place, the way he approaches training, the relationship man-to-man, it is very clear that Ryan is someone that you want with you. He is so important.”
Gerrard has often spoken glowingly about what Jack brings to Rangers, both on and off the park. Those words have been backed up by actions.
Jack agreed an extension to his contract in December 2018 and was then handed another new deal last October. That one will keep him at Ibrox until 2023 as he prepares to play the key years of his career under Gerrard's guidance.
The former Aberdeen captain has spent recent weeks supporting his team-mates from the stands and Gerrard is pleased he will now be able to contribute on the park once again as Rangers look to build some Premiership momentum.
He said: “Ryan Jack has helped us take the standards where we want them to be because of his own personal drive and how he approaches training and games. If you could sum Ryan Jack up in one word he is a winner - and I want winners around me closely. I’ve got every trust in Jacko.
“It’s not been helpful not having him available for the last three weeks.
"We always have a better chance of being more consistent with him available.
"I have trust in him but so do the guys around about him. Not only does he have the best personal standards for himself he has that leadership where he pushes others and makes demands of them.
“I think he lifts other players naturally and he does it in the right way.
“He has been at every game. No one wants this more than Ryan Jack. It’s great, it’s a pleasure to work with him. I love seeing that in a player.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s five-a-sides or an 11-a-side at Celtic Park he wants to win. If you practice and rehearse every single day how you want to play yourself more often than not it comes out.”
Rangers head to Rugby Park knowing they can ill-afford another stumble in the title race. It is a test that Gerrard's side just have to pass.
“It’s a big challenge for us because we’ve always had tough games there,” Gerrard said. “People will obviously compare the return from the winter break from last season to this because we suffered a sore one at Hearts.
“But for me it’s very much a game in isolation and trying to make sure that the best players are available to go down there. Then they’ve got to turn up and perform and if we do, I’m confident we can get the result we got earlier in the season.”
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