STEVEN Gerrard is confident Ryan Jack will be able to play for Scotland in their Euro 2020 play-off against Israel next week – if national boss Steve Clarke manages him with care.
The midfielder returned from a three week lay-off with a calf injury when he came on for Ianis Hagi in the second-half of the Europa League play-off win over Galatasaray last night.
Jack was named in Clarke’s squad on Tuesday even though he hadn’t played since the Dundee United game last month and his involvement last night raised hopes he will be able to represent his country at Hampden next Thursday night.
Gerrard emphasised he was happy for the former Aberdeen player to be called up by Scotland – but stressed that Clarke and his medical team can’t demand too much of him.
“It was great to have him back,” he said. “He came on and worked his socks off. He put in a disciplined cameo for us. It was the sensible decision because he has only trained once or twice.
“Look, myself and Steve Clarke both know Ryan Jack, we both know his body, we know he needs support, we know he needs managing. But Jacko and Steve Clarke will decide when and how, if he represents Scotland.
“We are pleased when our players get called up, we are proud to see them going to represent their country. But the fact is that Jacko needs support and he needs to manage his body because he is capable of getting an injury if he’s not supported or looked after.
“But I’m sure everyone will use common sense with him moving forward.”
Gerrard was pleased Rangers managed to secure a place in the Europa League group stages without key players like Jack, Joe Aribo and Kemar Roofe involved in qualifying in recent weeks.
“It makes the achievement even more special to know that we can cope and know that we can cope against this calibre of player and team,” he said. “Players came in and stepped up. We have got two good players in each position.”
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