RYAN JACK helped Scotland overcome their 22-years of hurt and restore pride in the nation as Steve Clarke’s side reached the European Championships last week.

Now he wants to complete a dream double and end the suffering of the Ibrox crowd as Rangers set their sights on a first Premiership title in a decade.

The outpouring of emotion that coursed through the country in the aftermath of victory over Serbia said it all about how important qualification was to Scotland. Finally, the heartache and the near misses can be consigned to history as Clarke’s players became national treasures.

At Ibrox, hero status lies in wait for Steven Gerrard’s side this term if they can go on and deliver the coveted and long awaited 55th league title and cup silverware.

The chances look as promising now as they have done for quite some time, but Jack knows there is still plenty of work to be done before he can celebrate for club as well as country.

“It would be good,” he said. “With the long wait for the nation to get back to a major tournament, it was long overdue.

“I’m just delighted to be a part of the group that has managed to achieve it. It’s a special group of players and we have a special sort of bond going in that group.

“That’s great but I think it’s back to club business now. It’s been a long wait at club level as well but it’s a challenge that I am ready to meet.

“What I would say is that last two seasons are gone now. There is nothing you can do about the past.

“We came into pre-season and said: ‘What can we achieve this season and what are our goals?’

“For us, it is about looking forward. We have started very strong and are on track for where we want to be.

“It’s so far, so good but there is nothing won yet. Come the end of the season is where the real challenges will be set and where we need to stand up.”

The international break may have ended on a low note for Scotland as they missed out on Nations League promotion and a place in the play-offs for the World Cup.

But the high of Serbia will live long in the memory for Clarke’s squad and the Tartan Army as the countdown started to Scotland’s return to the top table of international football.

The lure of playing at the Euros next summer will undoubtedly act as inspiration in the coming months but Jack believes it will be business as usual for the Scotland hopefuls.

He said: “I think I try and keep my standards as high as I can day-in, day-out. I try to train the way I play.

“I know it’s an old saying but it’s one I’ve had since I was a young boy. I still carry that with me.

“Of course, coming up to the back end of the season, you’re going to know you have a chance of going to the Euros and how special it would be if you get selected.

“But even Steve Clarke has said that we’ve done that now and need to put it to bed until it actually comes around because everyone is going to have a lot of big games for club and country before the summer.

“A lot of credit went to the manager because he just did what he does every camp. We trained at Oriam and then flew over to Serbia the day before the game.

“He kept it as basic as we have for every other trip, so it never really felt any different for us as players.

“In the back of your mind, you obviously knew what an opportunity it was. But all we spoke about was that it was an opportunity we could meet head-on.

“There was no point thinking ‘what if this or that happens?’ It was always just an opportunity and thankfully we took it.”

Jack returned to Auchenhowie this week to congratulations and well-wishes from the Rangers management and his team-mates, but the focus was quickly shifted from international exploits to domestic duty.

Aberdeen head to Ibrox on Sunday aiming to avenge the 1-0 defeat they suffered on the opening day of the campaign. For Rangers, it is a chance to pick up where they left off as they look to maintain their momentum and their nine-point lead over Celtic.

“I think that definitely was the case,” Jack said when asked if Rangers had put a marker down with their win at Pittodrie. “We knew that every time we have gone to Pittodrie, especially in the last couple of years, it has always been a tough venue for us.

“There were games where we had to be in control, but it can get away from you because they are a good side. We knew that that was a big start.

“We had to get three points. We got that and thankfully we kicked on from that. At the time, the manager said he hoped it was a marker for us and that we could go away to tough places and get results this season.

“That’s the challenge. It sounds easier than it is. There are a lot of tough games coming up, a lot of tough away games.

“The next two months will be a busy schedule so everyone will be needed. We will need to use the full squad so it’s important that everyone is ready to play their part.”