Gary McAllister, the Rangers assistant, remains optimistic that midfielder Ryan Jack can be fit enough to take up his place in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad ahead of this summer’s European Championships.

Jack hasn’t played since the end of February and missed the recent trio of World Cup qualifiers because of a calf issue. The Ibrox side sent him to London for a specialist consultation to ascertain the true extent of the problem and McAllister – who missed the 1998 World Cup finals because of a cruciate ligament injury – can appreciate the frustrations of the player.

"He's a key player and influential for the national team as well,” he said. “Unfortunately, I missed a major tournament with injury but we're hopeful that we get the right results for Ryan moving forward.

"We are missing him. He's a very influential player. He's been in London the last couple of days and he's on route back as we speak. We're basically waiting on results coming back up from London. He's been in London for further investigations to get to the crux of the matter for Ryan.”

Meanwhile, McAllister believes that Rangers captain James Tavernier deserves to take the Player of the Year accolades this season for his part in the Ibrox club’s season.

"The two lads that have just signed new contracts - Allan McGregor and Steven Davis - have been outstanding. Tavernier and Connor Goldson, Ryan Kent [would also be there]. Alfredo Morelos has probably not had the season he's had in the past but in the last six to eight weeks of the league games he really came to the fore. But if you were pushing me, I am not going to sit on the fence here, I'd probably go Tav. He's played a real captain's part.”

Personal awards are likely to go in the direction of the Ibrox side this term after their dominance this term but it is not the only flow of silverware that McAllister expects. With the league secured by some distance, the Ibrox side kick off their Scottish Cup campaign this evening against Paul Hartley’s Cove Rangers with McAllister hungry to add to add to the celebratory nature of the Ibrox side’s season. St Mirren knocked Rangers out of the Betfred League Cup to deny any possibility of a treble and McAllister is wary of any upsets ahead of tonight’s encounter.

“It's a one-off game and you've got to try and win it and on occasions we have just fell a wee bit short,” he said.

"What we are trying to emphasise to the players is how important the Scottish Cup is. I come from a generation that as a young player at Motherwell you always wanted to try and get to a Scottish Cup final or semi-final.

“Many memories from watching Cup finals from south of the border and up here, so we see this is very important. We started the season in four competitions, three domestic and the Europa League, we have managed to win one, had a great run in Europe and we want to do well in the Scottish Cup, so our preparation and all our due diligence will be done to go deep into this competition, we want to try and get to Hampden.

“I know how much hard work has gone in from the surrounding staff and the hours the manager is putting in as well but we are there to try and help the players, we want to see the players win something. Winning the league's been fantastic but if we can go one better and try and get to Hampden that would be an added bonus. It's something we are going to emphasise to the players, to really give this a good push and their full concentration.”