Rangers star Ryan Jack’s impact as mentor reveals when he knew ace was international standard
Ryan Jack #RyanJack
Willie Miller says he knew almost instantly that Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack would progress from Aberdeen into a household name.
The experienced battler has had to deal with injury problems at Ibrox since his 2017 move but has overall been an excellent acquisition for the Light Blues. He has won the Premiership and Scottish Cup trophies while he also formed part of the Rangers squad which made it to the Europa League final in May.
Dons great Miller was director of football at Pittodrie when then teenager Jack was starting to make a name for himself within the Dons academy structure. And he says that amid fellow Scotland internationals Ryan Fraser and Scott McKenna breaking through, it was Jack who was the one guaranteed to make the grade.
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He told Sportsound: “The development system in Scotland gets a bit of a hard time but I can speak from personal experience.
“When you look at Ryan Jack, Scott McKenna and Ryan Fraser, these were guys when I was there were coming through at the club.
“Scott McKenna was a midfielder and like a beanpole. He’s filled out and developed himself (out on loan). Ryan Fraser, constantly coaches told me they didn’t know if they would take him onto the next level.
“It was because of his height. But he had an attitude better than most. Did I think he would be an international? No, not when he was developing.
“It was the same with Scott McKenna. Ryan Jack, I did think he would be an international player. From a very early age, he was quality and class.”
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