RYAN Jack felt it was “time for a fresh challenge” after leaving Aberdeen after almost a decade to conclude a three-year deal with Rangers. The midfielder becomes manager Pedro Caixinha’s second signing of the close season following the arrival of Portuguese defender Bruno Alves who has moved from Italian club Cagliari.
Speculation had been rife for weeks that Jack was on the brink of a move to Ibrox, a contributory factor in the decision to strip him of the Aberdeen captaincy ahead of last weekend’s Scottish Cup final against Celtic. The 25-year-old admitted the whole transfer process had been “overwhelming” but was glad that it was finally concluded.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to come to such a massive club and to have this opportunity,” he told Rangers TV. “I’ve had a lot of experiences as a football player and to captain Aberdeen Football Club was a huge honour.
“I’m thankful to Aberdeen for that and to Derek McInnes but I just felt it was time for a fresh challenge and it’s one at Rangers that I’m really looking forward to. From what I’ve heard the club are making a few signings and bringing in a good calibre of player, so it’s exciting times and I know there are really good players already here as well. I’m just overwhelmed at the minute but I’m looking forward to the challenge.
“I’ve just spoken with the manager briefly and he told me his plans and what he expects from the team and of me. I’m sure when I come back in for pre-season I’ll know a lot more about what’s happening and what’s to come.
“But obviously coming to a club like Rangers, it’s always exciting and the European football is a massive appeal. That’s something I’m looking forward to, a European night at Ibrox. I’m here, I want to enjoy it and I want to help the club be successful again. It’s a surreal moment but I’m delighted to be here and it’s an honour to be part of this club.”
Caixinha felt Jack had the “maturity” to thrive at Ibrox after making the midfielder his first Scottish signing.
The Portuguese said: “Ryan is one player who, for the last three seasons and from the age of 23, has been the captain of Aberdeen and that tells me a lot about the character, the personality and the maturity he has as well as the talent.
“I also believe that we identified in him something that we need in our midfield which is leadership and understanding the game in terms of being the balance player who builds from the back, who switches the play, who releases the full backs and allows all the offensive players to go up the park with more freedom.”
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