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Gerrard slams the SFA over careless treatment of his Scotland star

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Image for Gerrard slams the SFA over careless treatment of his Scotland star

Steven Gerrard has accused the SFA and Steve Clarke of being careless in their treatment of Ryan Jack.

The former Aberdeen midfielder was named as a substitute against Russia on Friday night but returned to his club over the weekend forcing him out of the squad that lost to Belgium.

Jack was the only Ibrox player in the Scotland squad with Gerrard expecting the SFA to go easy on him due to an on-going knee issue.

“Unfortunately he was asked to do an 11k session two days after an Old Firm which made his knee flare up,” the Ibrox boss told a media conference. “So we have had to manage him, he has had to have a couple of procedures since.

“He did a light session with the physio today (Thursday) and we are hoping to get him into training tomorrow. I think it’s just careless. You should never, ever do 11k two days after playing 90 minutes. That’s the education I’ve had.”

Gerrard added: “Ryan’s got a knee issue that he manages and he has done for a long time. The SFA are aware of that, their fitness coach is aware of that. I think everyone in Scotland watched the Old Firm and saw Ryan play 90 minutes. And then 48 hours afterwards, he did a double session.”

With the SFA effectively borrowing players from clubs they have to be extra careful with how they are handled.

The fact that Jack had recovered sufficiently from the double session to be named as a substitute to face Russia suggests that the injury, or condition, isn’t as serious as Gerrard is making out.

Last season the SFA took Kieran Tierney to Kazakhstan before deciding that he wasn’t fit to play with the defender flying home ahead of the match to continue treatment with Celtic.

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