Sky Sport News. Ryan Jack backs ‘quality’ Rangers star to be Philippe Clement’s matchwinner at Aberdeen.

Despite all the talk about the Rangers’ fresh crop of talent, Ryan Jack believes Philippe Clement will rely on the old guard on Wednesday’s trip to Aberdeen.Rangers’ pre-match build-up has been dominated by the form of Vaclav Cerny, Connor Barron, and Neraysho Kasanwirjo – Barry Ferguson wants the Feyenoord loanee to start at centre-half at Pittodrie. However, one man who swapped the red of Aberdeen for the blue of the Gers believes that experience will be key during one of the biggest tests of the Clement era.Lose, and the visitors will fall nine points behind Jimmy Thelin’s surprise presents.

Ryan Jack, a former Ibrox veteran who began his career with The Dons, believes Clement should enlist reliable lieutenants to lead Rangers in battle.

James Tavernier of Rangers celebrates after he scores the opening goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Rangers FC and Hibernian...

Ryan Jack backs James Tavernier to lead Rangers past Aberdeen.

“Rangers should focus on one game at a time. “Away to Aberdeen is a massive game at a sold-out Pittodrie,” Jack claims. “James Tavernier, John Souttar, Tom Lawrence, and Jack Butland are experienced players who have previously played at Pittodrie.”

“Aberdeen will come out quick, and Rangers need to be ready.”

Clement may be denied the services of two of the aforementioned four, though.

Lawrence and Souttar both missed Sunday’s 2-1 win against St Mirren due to injuries.

The two face a race against time to get back into contention against an Aberdeen team that has 25 points out of a possible 27 thus far.

Robin Propper struggled in Souttar’s absence against Stephen Robinson’s team, but Mohamed Diomade started the score in lieu of Lawrence at the number ten position.

Meanwhile, Jack requests that Tavernier be reinstated as the first name on Clement’s team sheet.

The Ibrox manager has rested his captain on few occasions recently. Jack believes it is time for the experienced right-back to roll back the years, but in a game that might be decided by a typical Tavernier set-piece.

“[Tavernier] has terrific personality. People think he comes off as calm and unassuming, but believe me, in the dressing room, he speaks his mind and is a terrific character,” says Jack, who went to Turkey with Esenler Erokspor after his Rangers contract expired this summer.

“We’ve seen the Rangers rotate a lot recently. I believe James Tavernier should play tomorrow due to his experience, expertise, and dead-ball skills.

“He can score, assist, and Rangers need that experience.”

Philippe Clement trusts Connor Barron to handle the Aberdeen challenge.

Even if Thelin’s undefeated side had not been in such good form, a return to Aberdeen would have been a difficult prospect for one of Rangers’ most in-form players.

Connor Barron followed in Ryan Jack’s footsteps this summer, with the cause of his Dons exit being contentious as the midfielder elected not to extend his contract.

Clement is confident in Barron’s ability to manage the Pittodrie pressure.

“I worked with a lot of young players during my career,” Clement said during a press conference. “As a player and manager, he’s one of the most mature people I’ve met at his age.

“I’m sure he’s prepared for [the Aberdeen environment], and he’s simply focusing on football. That is also one of his strengths. He’s simply concerned with football and his desire to improve and become more significant for this team.

“So, I don’t have any doubts about that.”

Sky Sport News. Ryan Jack backs ‘quality’ Rangers star to be Philippe Clement’s matchwinner at Aberdeen.

Sky Sport News. Ryan Jack backs ‘quality’ Rangers star to be Philippe Clement’s matchwinner at Aberdeen.

Ryan Jack backs James Tavernier to lead Rangers past Aberdeen.

Clement may be denied the services of two of the aforementioned four, though.

Philippe Clement trusts Connor Barron to handle the Aberdeen challenge.

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