Rangers hero Barry Ferguson has stressed the importance of Ryan Jack's "experience" and has backed the midfielder to be given a new contract at Ibrox.

The Scotland international's deal at the Light Blues is up at end of the season and the ex-Gers captain has made clear how important a player like the 30-year-old can be for Michael Beale's squad.

He detailed how vital a component Jack could be with the potential departures of veterans Allan McGregor and Steven Davies on the horizon.

"I don’t think talks have even started with Ryan Jack over a new contract,” he told The Go Radio Football Show.

“It was interesting to hear Michael Beale say that health and form are important to him. He’ll wait and see if Ryan Jack can prove he can play enough games.

"After that, I think he’ll get a new contract. The thing about experience is you can’t buy it.

"People will say they’re too old and don’t have the legs any more. Listen, they've got the brain and the intelligence.

"When you lose experienced players, and if it happens to Rangers in the summer if Allan McGregor hangs his gloves up or Steven Davis doesn’t get another deal, they will be massive losses.

"Believe me when I say that. You need to always have an experienced group in that squad to help the other ones."

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Meanwhile, Joe Aribo remains part of Nathan Jones' plans at Southampton.

The St Mary's boss has ruled out a quickfire return to Rangers for the Nigeria international.

The 26-year-old moved to the Premier League side in a deal worth up to £10million in the summer.

He featured heavily under Ralph Hasenhuttl and made a positive start to life on the south coast. 

However, since the Austrian's sacking in November, the ex-Charlton midfielder has badly struggled for game time. 

He hasn't played since January 7 when he came off in Saints' 2-1 FA Cup win over Crystal Palace.

That has led to increased speculation linking Aribo with a move back to Ibrox, where he enjoyed three great seasons both domestically and in Europe.

Jones was directly asked about the possibility of Aribo returning to Scotland in his press conference ahead of Southampton’s FA Cup fifth round tie against Blackpool.

He killed any further speculation. He said: "Joe is someone I want to keep here. I like Joe, Joe is definitely someone I'd like to be here. He's been a bit unlucky not to play since Palace but that will change."