Rangers boss Michael Beale has dropped his heaviest hint yet that he’s set to offer Ryan Jack a new deal at Ibrox.
The 31-year-old midfielder is out of contract this summer and has previously said he’s yet to hear from the club’s hierarchy about an extension. But after Jack’s recent performances, including a superb display in Wednesday night’s 4-1 Premiership win over Hibs at Easter Road, Beale wants him to stay.
Despite claiming that NO out of contract player has been offered fresh terms, the manager says he’s keen to continue working with the Scotland star next term. Beale said: “A fit Ryan Jack is an excellent player for Rangers and I thought he was fantastic in midweek. I have to manage him at times to make sure he’s fit and available. He doesn’t like that because he trains the way he plays and he wants to play every week.
“But he sets the standard for us and Ryan is certainly a player I want to work with moving forward here at the club. He’s a fine footballer and the only thing that has stopped him going even further are the injury spells he’s had.
“Every manager who has worked with him at Rangers, Aberdeen and Scotland has always had them as a key part of their team and changing room. We’ve had a couple of conversations already. Like most players, he wants his future sorted out.
“If there wasn’t a change of manager in the middle of the season, maybe one or two things would have been sorted out. But it’s right that I’ve taken time to look, assess and see where the group is at.”
Jack signed for the club on a free from Aberdeen in 2017 when Pedro Caixinha was in charge at Ibrox. He has made 180 appearances for the club over five years, was a key player in their charge to the Europa League Final in Seville last season - and scored in their Scottish Cup Final victory over Hearts in May.
But Jack has also missed long spells through injury, which has cast his Rangers future into doubt. Beale said: “From the boy I met in 2018, to the one I worked with during Steven Gerrard’s time here, to the one I came back to - the way he’s flourished as a player and the level he’s been able to play at - it’s been fantastic to see Ryan’s journey.
“Injuries have been the only thing that’s held him back. It’s now just about making sure that he stays healthy for himself. Because it must have been difficult for him to miss the amount of football he has at times.
“He’s a young father and that helps you mature. The experience he’s had for Rangers and Scotland at European and international level has helped him grow his understanding of the game.”
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