It may only have been a two-minute run-out but Ryan Jack appreciates just how precious every one of those seconds back in action felt for returning Rangers star John Souttar.
The Scotland defender was at last able to make his competitive home debut for his new club in Saturday’s win over Kilmarnock after seven long months of injury frustration. It’s a turmoil Jack knows only too well having completed his own 12-month trek back to fitness this time last year.
But what’s all the more remarkable is that Souttar has found the strength of will to walk this lonely road now four times. The 26-year-old arrived from Hearts in the summer having ruptured his Achilles three times at Tynecastle. But from what Jack has seen of this unshakeable character, no one should be in any doubt about his ability to bounce back.
He said: “We’re obviously delighted for John He’s been training hard the last few weeks so it was great to see him out there. It can be a long journey at times, a long road. But John has always been in the training centre, around the squad working hard, that’s all you can really do. I’ve said that myself when I’ve had my own injuries.
“You just have to work hard, get your head down and make sure you come back fit and strong. John’s done just that. There’s no doubt it’s a hard road, I’ve been there myself. But Saturday would have been worth it for John. He only came on late as a sub for a few minutes but to be out there and back in the matchday squad, that’s what you go through all that hard work behind the scenes in the gym for, for moments like that.
“John’s the type who never complains, he’s in the changing room every day and he’s upbeat, working hard around the boys. It’s a credit to him that he’s got himself back and he’s now in the squad. I’m sure he’ll add to us going forward. There are always points when your team-mates go through hard times and it’s our job to pick them up and help them through it. Everyone has been there for John and it’s great to now see him back.”
The task now for Souttar is to split up the near ever-present partnership of Connor Goldson and Ben Davies since Michael Beale came in. But Jack won’t be betting against him. He said: “When John is fully fit he’s a top player.
“You’ve seen in the past what he can bring playing on the international stage at the highest level. He’ll be a great addition back in the squad and going forward I’m sure he’ll bring that quality and presence at the back. I don’t really think he’ll have a point to prove, I just think he’ll be glad to be back fit and in the squad.
“With John now fit and Connor and Ben too, we’ve got great options at the back which will only add to our quality going forward.”
Jack formed his own new partnership on Saturday alongside Nico Raskin in the heart of Rangers’ midfield.With Todd Cantwell ahead of them, the new blend seemed to produce the potion Beale was hoping for as the Light Blues swept Killie aside during a clinical first 45 minutes.
With the energy sapping from Raskin’s legs after the break, Rangers were guilty of switching off.
But Jack is excited by the new recruit from Standard Liege and said: “Nico’s been a good addition and you can see what he brings. He’s good in possession and off the ball he’s aggressive, the type of midfielder we need.
“The longer he’s here the more games and training sessions he can put under his belt playing alongside us, the better I’m sure he’ll become.”
Jack picked up a fifth booking of the season against Killie, enough to earn a light-hearted rebuke from his boss, with Beale saying: “He’s just got to be careful around those yellow cards because he always makes my heart skip a little bit when he gets one.”
Jack knows where his boss is coming from but admits it’s hard to curb the competitive streak that famously saw him sent off four times in his first season at Ibrox.
He said: “In general he doesn’t want the game becoming stop-start with us moaning at refs and delaying the games. He wants to keep the flow as quick as we can. But it’s part of the game and it’s one of those things. Playing in my position you’re going to pick up bookings.
“I’m competitive but you never want to overstep that mark. You want to play fair, to play competitively and I’m all for that. But there’s a line you can’t cross and as long as you stay competitive there’s nothing wrong with that.”
