Rangers’ Ryan Jack faces fitness battle for Celtic clash

Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack is a major doubt for the first Glasgow derby of this season after pulling out of his side’s Europa League squad, as reported in the Glasgow Times.

Jack had been due to travel to Gibraltar to face the Lincoln Red Imps on Thursday but he has stayed behind following an injury picked up against Dundee United.

Now the 28-year-old, who is an important part of the Rangers squad, faces a race against time to get fit for the first derby of the new campaign on October 17th at Celtic Park.

The former Aberdeen captain, who has been at Ibrox for three years, was substituted on Saturday with a calf injury and is expected to be out for a number of weeks.

The absence of Jack for any length of time will come as a blow to the Hoops’ city rivals, whilst perhaps acting as a boost for Neil Lennon’s men, who currently sit six points behind Rangers, albeit with two games in hand.

One of those matches comes tonight as Lennon’s squad aims to cut the gap to three points as his side travel to St Mirren.