Rangers Academy Players Head For International Duty

RANGERS Academy have a number of players who will proudly represent their nations across the next seven days on international duty.

Here’s a look at who is away with their country and the games to look forward to this week, with all kick-off times in BST.

Bailey Rice and Leyton Grant – Scotland Under-19s

Scotland Under-19s v Azerbaijan Under-19s – Wednesday, September 4 – Friendly

Scotland Under-19s v Faroe Islands Under-19s – Friday, September 6 – Friendly

Netherlands Under-19s v Scotland Under-19s – Monday, September 9 – Friendly

It’s a friendly triple header for Scotland as new head coach Neil McFarlane takes charge of the group for the first time.

Both Bailey and Leyton are among the squad for the series of matches in Spain, which kicks off with a clash against Azerbaijan.

Leyton has featured throughout the youth ranks for the national team, while Bailey has captained the side before and has spent time among Philippe Clement’s first-team squad at club level.

Faroe Islands and the Netherlands make up the remainder of the opponents for Scotland at Pinatar Arena, with both players eager to make an impression.

Mason Munn and Blaine McClure – Northern Ireland Under-19s

Norway Under-19s v Northern Ireland Under-19s – Thursday, September 5 – Friendly – Kick-off 5pm

Sweden Under-19s v Northern Ireland Under-19s – Sunday, September 8 – Friendly – Kick-off 11am

Fresh from their involvement in the Northern Ireland squad at the Under-19 European Championships, Mason and Blaine will represent their country in a three-team mini-tournament in Norway.

Mason recently penned a contract extension at the club, spending time training with a strong first-team goalkeeping unit while also representing Gers B in the SPFL Trust Trophy.

Blaine, meanwhile, has been a strong performer at both Under-18s and B Team, featuring heavily for his country at the European Championships on home soil over the summer.

The two-game series against Sweden and hosts Norway is in preparation for the side’s European Championship qualifiers later this autumn.

Josh Gentles – Wales Under-18s

Czech Republic Under-18s v Wales Under-18s – Wednesday, September 4 – Jezek Cup – Kick-off 4pm

Slovakia Under-18s v Wales Under-18s – Friday, September 6 – Jezek Cup – Kick-off 4pm

Wales Under-18s v Turkiye Under-18s – Sunday, September 10 – Jezek Cup – Kick-off 10am

Josh has been called up to the Wales squad for the upcoming Jezek Cup in the Czech Republic.

The 16-year-old has represented Wales throughout the youth levels and he will now make the step up to the Under-18s as they square off against Czech Republic, Slovakia and Turkiye.

The forward has split his time between the Under-18s and B Team in recent months, netting in the former’s recent 2-0 victory over Aberdeen.

Alex Smith – USA Under-17s

USA Under-17s v Germany Under-17s – Wednesday, September 4 – Jezek Cup – Kick-off 4pm

Czech Republic Under-17s v USA Under-17s – Friday, September 6 – Jezek Cup – Kick-off 4pm

Slovakia Under-17s v USA Under-17s – Sunday, September 8 – Jezek Cup – Kick-off 1pm

Like Josh, Alex has been selected in the USA Under-17s squad for the Jezek Cup on European soil.

It’s a young U.S. group as the side prepares for next year’s Concacaf Under-17 Championship.

Alex signed full-time for the Gers Academy this summer and has been involved regularly for Steven Smith’s Under-18s side.

USA face a trio of matches at the international youth tournament, kicking off this evening against Germany before fixtures against hosts Czech Republic and Slovakia.


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