Rangers star Ryan Jack on ‘massive’ Aberdeen clash as former Pittodrie skipper opens up on Dons rivalry
RYAN JACK will see Aberdeen v Rangers as just another game.
But the Ibrox star can remember when it meant EVERYTHING as a pumped-up Dons midfielder.
Jack, 30, always gets plenty of stick from Reds fans whenever he returns to Pittodrie.
But the Scotland ace has so much big-game experience he will take Tuesday’s league clash in his stride.
He knows, though, that Jim Goodwin’s side will be desperate to beat Michael Beale’s men.
Jack said: “It is not just for me, for us as a team it is going to be a really tough test.
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“It always is, Aberdeen make it very difficult for us.
“It is their biggest game, but for me we just need to make sure we are fully recovered by Tuesday to the extent every one of us is ready to go. I think you have to relish matches like these. In football you can’t shy away from hard games.
“Every player knows that going to Pittodrie you are going to need to give 100 per cent to get a result.
“Every game for me is massive now because we are nine points behind in the league, and there are two cups that we want to go on and win.
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“But this fixture was always built up when I was playing at Aberdeen, a million per cent.
“For the supporters and the manager of the time it was our biggest game. We always wanted to go and prove a point.
“We know that is not going to change so for us we know we need to match that intensity. If we do that then I am sure that will be enough.”
The Dons have done well at Pittodrie this season with boss Goodwin instilling real grit in his team.
Jack added: “They will be a good side, there is no doubt. I have watched the highlights from games, they are a strong team.
“I have played with the likes of Ross McCrorie before and I know what he can bring.
“I have no doubt it will be a tough game.
“But for us we have to go there and show our footballing ability and show our personality, and go and win the game.”
Jack scored a vital goal for Gers against Hibs at frozen Ibrox on Thursday.
The midfielder made it 2-2 before Alfredo Morelos clinched three vital points with the winner.
It was a hard-fought victory for Beale’s side, who could ill- afford to lose.
Jack admits there is now no room for error as the Ibrox side chase league leaders Celtic.
He said: “I think we all know that here.
“It is not rocket science. You look at the league and we are behind, so you are chasing straight away.
“We need to try and be perfect the next five games and then we will see what comes after that.
“But the manager has been big on trying to isolate every game, put our whole concentration into each one, and if we do that then I am sure we will do alright.
“Our first-half performance against Hibs on Thursday was not how we planned in training and how we wanted it to look.
“But that is what happens in football, teams come and make it difficult. We never got our own way in the first half.
“The goals we conceded weren’t good enough and I am sure we will address that in the next couple of days.
“But we showed great character after half-time to go and get three points.”
Jack is enjoying working with Beale. They had a good relationship during his time on Steven Gerrard’s coaching staff.
He added: “I had a good connection with the gaffer when he was last here as a coach.
“I loved his ideas on the game and the way he wants his teams to play.
“For me it is just about buying into that and hopefully going forward I can help the team.
“We can all buy into it and have a successful second half of the season.”
Beale thought he got Gers too pumped up before they ran out against Hibs, but Jack said: “I never noticed that. All the staff are like that.
“They are all passionate and pretty motivational before a game to try and get us going before kick-off.
“It is up to us as players to control that in the right way on the pitch, and the first half was not how we had wanted it to look against Hibs.
“At half-time the gaffer calmed us down and explained how he wanted it to look second half.
“It looked a lot more like us and how we want it to look going forward.
“He has been great since he came back. As players, it has been good to listen to his voice again.
“He is great around the training ground and his ideas on football are top-notch.
“For us as players it is important we listen to what he has to say and work hard every day. If we do that we will learn something and improve a lot.
“The gaffer is very strong on his drills and how he wants the game to look for the team that he is managing.
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“For us you just need to buy into it and work hard.”
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