STEVEN GERRARD admits Ryan Jack had a 'free pass' into his Europa League squad in order to comply with UEFA rules and regulations this season.

The 29-year-old has yet to feature for Rangers this term and hasn't played since February as he continues on the road to recovery following surgery earlier this summer.

Jack's inclusion in the Europa League squad had given supporters hope that he was edging closer to a first team return and Gerrard has revealed the midfielder has had a 'positive week'.

He will not be part of the squad for the Premiership clash away to St Johnstone on Saturday, however, and no date has been set for his next appearance as Rangers prepare for the visit of Group A rivals Lyon on Thursday.

Gerrard said: "Look, I think you have got to understand how this squad works because I am not sure you are totally educated.

"I had to do a lot of work around it myself. That is not to be disrespectful.

"The Scottish lads that have been trained at a Scottish academy have almost a free pass into the squad anyway.

"It is not as if anyone else has been put out by Ryan Jack’s selection, but I think everyone is well aware of how much I rate Ryan Jack and how much I want him back because he certainly makes the eleven and the group a lot stronger.

"But I think we get about 17 picks that are outside being an academy trained or a Scottish trained player.

"That is unfortunate because you want to pick everyone, but a lot of the names you will see in the squad, ie Stephen Kelly, Robby McCrorie, Nathan Patterson, Ryan Jack, Scott Arfield, Allan McGregor, they are automatically in the squad without taking a place anyway."