Ryan Jack's latest injury setback will be 'sickening' for the 29-year-old, Noel Whelan has told Football Insider. 

The lowdown

The 29-year-old hasn't started for Rangers since the 1-0 Premiership win over Kilmarnock way back on 13 February. He worked his way back to fitness following a calf problem, making three substitute appearances between 7 November and 4 December.

However, prior to the clash with Hearts earlier this month, Giovanni van Bronckhorst revealed that the midfielder had suffered a setback, and the Dutchman has since confirmed that Jack won't be returning until the latter part of January at the earliest.

The latest

BBC Radio pundit Whelan told Football Insider that 'there's nothing worse' in football than getting injured shortly after a comeback from a lengthy layoff and said that it's a crushing blow for Jack, and indeed a big loss for Rangers.

The 46-year-old said: "He's had a very long time out, come back in – it will be very devastating for him psychologically.

"There's nothing worse. He's done his rehabilitation, training, worked his way up to being match-ready – and then another setback happens.

"It's heartbreaking for him. I've been there a few times, and you do get that sickening feeling inside your stomach.

"I really feel for him, but we all have tests put in front of us – and hopefully he comes through this one with flying colours and comes back stronger.

"He's a quality player that Giovanni van Bronckhorst will want to have in his squad."

The verdict

It's very much a possibility that Jack will go more than year without starting a match for the Gers, and to make it even more painful, he's also missing a large chunk of his theoretical peak years.

However, Rangers should be able to navigate the festive period preceding the winter break without him. Van Bronckhorst's squad for Saturday's win over Dundee United looked well-stocked in terms of central midfielders, featuring Glen Kamara, John Lundstram, Scott Arfield, Juninho Bacuna and Joe Aribo.

Let's hope that Jack has already had his fill of injury woe and can make up for lost time in 2022.

In other news, Rangers have made a decision on the future of this player