Michael Beale appears to have confirmed Ryan Jack, if fit, is a guaranteed starter in his Rangers team, meaning John Lundstram is going to find his opportunities more limited under this manager, who has already said Glen Kamara will be a big part of his Rangers team as well.

Favouring two defensive-minded midfielders, Beale tends to pick a three in the middle, with one more flair player, such as, in present circumstances, Malik Tillman, who he has also gushed about.

But it’s the admission over Ryan Jack which might worry Lundstram a bit, with the ex-Sheffield man potentially reduced in role under Beale.

He said:

This obviously doesn’t account for injuries, but if the dynamic midfielder was to remain available then under Michael Beale he and Glen Kamara appear to be the new Ibrox manager’s first choice midfield pairing, behind a 10.

This is a pretty stark and explicit statement, and John Lundstram won’t be the biggest fan of it – he’s given everything this year for the club, hitting superb form under Giovanni van Bronckhorst, before it tailed away a bit like the rest of them this season.

But Beale has made little to no mention of Lunny, only referring to his deployment in defence on Thursday when he had absolutely no option otherwise.

But it’ll be Jack going forward, which isn’t that surprising really given how good Jack was under Beale’s previous time at the club, when he was fit that is.

The one note of comfort for Lundstram is Jack is not likely to remain fit on a regular basis, and he is very likely to still be required, despite the manager’s preference for Jack and Kamara, and there is also the fact that Kamara may still leave in January to take into account.

But if Beale is to keep Jack fit and Kamara at Ibrox, it looks like that will be his first-choice midfield. Which leaves very little room for Lundstram.

Que sera.