Rangers hero is going to be a legend – and we all know it

In the summer of 2017, one Ibrox Noise reader made a far-flung comment, one which we mostly scoffed at and which appeared based on very little indeed.

In the now-autumn of 2019, her left-field assertion appears to have come from an outright crystal ball.

“Ryan Jack will become a legend for this Club”.

Let’s face it, Jack has been, overall, Rangers’ most consistent player this season. He gave major hints last season of just how good he could be, with some stellar performances early in the season and some even stronger ones over the split.

And that form has carried on this term, but actually improved.

Ryan Jack has gone from strong if unexceptional defensive midfielder to complete all-round number 8 – he wears Gazza’s shirt/number and he wears it with absolute distinction now, and as each match goes by, Jack looks like maybe the best Rangers signing since 2012, purely based on value for money.

While it would be very hard to put a market value on this guy, the transfer fee of nought has looked absolutely fantastic as the 27-year old has only got better and better and better over the two years+ of his time at Ibrox.

A boyhood Bear, his evolution from a decent Aberdeen player to something genuinely special in the blue shirt under the guidance of Steven Gerrard has been something to behold.

He attacks, he defends, he playmakes, he fills in gaps, he works his socks of, he reads, he scores, and he creates. And that’s only a portion of his contribution.

Rarely have we seen one player benefit so outstanding from a manager as Jack has from Gerrard – the Anfield legend was a titan midfielder on the pitch, and it feels like Jack has completely nurtured from that and become more than he and we ever thought possible.

It’s no coincidence that he is close to an ever-present when fit – he’s developed into a critical part of Gerrard’s system, and when he’s not in the side, as he wasn’t v Livi, Rangers just don’t play half as well.

He’s in negotiations for a new deal, and we say whatever he asks for he’s worth. He’s been offered terms but nothing official has agreed yet, and while his current contract has two years to run, Rangers ideally want to secure this man for life. While obviously we shouldn’t pay stupid money, Jack is clearly value, and has been stellar for the best part of the whole calendar year.

It’s evident why Rangers want to tie him up longer, to reward him for his contribution.

Will he become that legend? If the likes of Nacho Novo, Fernando Ricksen (RIP), and even big Lorenzo are considered as such, Jack is well on his way to getting there.

Maybe he already is.