Michael Beale is being urged to make a new contract for Ryan Jack at Rangers an utmost priority or face losing the veteran.
The 30-year-old has been a key part of the Ibrox furniture since switching from Aberdeen six years ago and is now settled in to life under new boss Beale as he begins to paint the landscape of he wants the club to look. Beale's priority seems to be the acquisition of new talent with Todd Cantwell secured on a long-term deal this week and more incomings on the horizon.
But there is the issue of key Rangers stars whose contracts are running down, with veteran Jack alongside seasoned stars Scott Arfield and Steven Davis with less than a year left. Meanwhile the likes of Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent are yet to commit their future to Glasgow but Beale is being urged not to sleep on the 'priority' of getting Jack a new deal by former Ibrox man Graham Dorrans.
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He told the Scottish Sun : “Ryan has been a big part of the success the club has had over the last two or three years, alongside people like Morelos and Kent. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t be considered as important as these other guys who’ll soon be out of contract.
“He’s maybe a bit older, but you’d think it would be one of the priorities. He’s only 30, with a good few years ahead of him.
“When I was there, as far as I knew, he had a good relationship with Michael Beale. I think the manager rates Ryan really highly. I’d be very surprised if there wasn’t a deal offered there in the next few weeks. The club might be focusing on bringing players in. It might be something they look at after it closes. I’m sure there will be conversations to get that sorted out.”
Dorrans also claims Jack, despite his age, would have keen interest in his services from clubs in England.
He added: “Ryan is a huge supporter of the club, so I would be surprised if he didn’t want to stay. There are things that obviously have to happen with contracts and terms I’m sure he and the club will speak about when the time is right.
“But as for him wanting to stay at Rangers, in my opinion I’d say he definitely would. If there wasn’t any offer, I think there would be plenty of interest from clubs in England in a player with Ryan’s quality. You can see how important he is in the big matches in midfield and he scores goals too. Adding that side has been big for him.”
On Jack, Beale said last month: “In the last few months, for different reasons, Ryan has not always been available so at the moment he is just focusing on enjoying his football and being available.
"He was asked a question and he answered it honestly and I will as well. At this moment in time Ryan Jack is in the best eleven players at Rangers. Why wouldn’t you want to keep Ryan Jack?”
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