Rangers are set to be without captain James Tavernier for the next three weeks after he contracted a virus, as reported by the Daily Record. As a result of the impending absence of the 28-year-old, ‘Gers fan @euangtaylor on Twitter suggested that midfielder Ryan Jack could be an option to take Tavernier’s place at right-back in the short-term.
If Tavernier is out for a sustained period of time then, depending on how Patterson did against Stranraer, I’d be inclined to play Jack at right back. No one seems to agree with me however.
— Euan (@euangtaylor) January 15, 2020
The 27-year-old has played at right-back on 44 previous occasions during his career. However, all of those appearances came during his time at Aberdeen, with only two outings in a right-back role since the start of the 2015/16 season (as per TransferMarkt). Since coming to Rangers in 2017, Jack has been used almost exclusively in the middle of the park.
Steven Gerrard has natural right-back options to replace Tavernier for the next few games, with Jon Flanagan and Matt Polster already in the senior squad and teenager Nathan Patterson featuring for the first team in last week’s friendly against Lokomotiv Tashkent in Dubai.
After @euangtaylor had proposed selecting Jack in place of Tavernier at right-back, these Rangers fans took to Twitter to express their opposition to the idea:
Ryan Jack wouldn’t suit right back with how we play. Our right backs need to be more like wingers
— gordy-bolingoli (@weepaljoe_) January 15, 2020
Play our best midfielder at right back, sensational idea
— Rossco (@RossG1872) January 15, 2020
We have Matt Polster, we literally signed him for cover with Tav so I’d imagine he’ll have his chance.
— Brad (@BradleyRaeLol) January 15, 2020
Ryan Jack is our Heartbeat playing him at RB is a non starter. No way. Patterson could be a very capable defender give him a go.
— David Smith (@davsmith12876) January 15, 2020
No, don’t agree with that at all when you consider that we have Flanagan as a back-up (ex-England cap at right-back!), Polster too and as you rightly say Patterson. Jack has been immense in centre-midfield so for the sake of the team he has to stay there.
— Petrocelli (@caltat) January 15, 2020
Because jack in essential to our midfield. The games where we have struggled this season jack hasn’t featured.
Would like to see how young Patterson would step up. Looks a promising player.— Calfredo (@Mackenzito94) January 15, 2020
Do you think Jack could be an option at right-back for Rangers while Tavernier is out or should Gerrard instead pick a natural right-back? Join in the discussion by commenting below!
