1st Apr 2022

Men

Rangers International Break Round Up

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A NUMBER of players have been away on international duty over the last 10 days, with many involved in important FIFA World Cup qualifiers for their country.

Aaron Ramsay - Wales

Thursday 24 March - Wales 2-1 Austria - FIFA World Cup Play-Off Semi-Final

Aaron played 90 minutes for Wales on Thursday evening as a double from Gareth Bale helped them to a 2-1 victory over Austria to book their place in the FIFA World Cup play-off final.

Wales will now play either Scotland or Ukraine with a hope of securing a spot at the World Cup.

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Leon Balogun, Calvin Bassey, Joe Aribo - Nigeria

Friday 25 March - Ghana 0-0 Nigeria - FIFA World Cup Play-Off
Tuesday 29 March - Nigeria 1-1 Ghana - FIFA World Cup Play-Off

Calvin made his international debut for Nigeria coming on as a substitute on Friday evening, with Joe and Leon named in the starting XI in a 0-0 draw in the opening-leg of their World Cup qualifier.

All three Gers started the return-leg on Tuesday but it was disappointment for the Nigerians as despite the draw an away goal secured Ghana’s place at this winter’s tournament.

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Fil Helander - Sweden

Thursday 24 March - Sweden 1-0 Czech Republic - FIFA World Cup Play-Off Semi-Final
Tuesday 29 March - Poland 2-0 Sweden - FIFA World Cup Play-Off Final

Fil was introduced as an extra time substitute as a 110th minute goal saw Sweden progress to the final of the World Cup play-offs with a 1-0 win over the Czech Republic.

The defender was an unused substitute on Tuesday evening as Sweden missed out on a place in Qatar with a 2-0 defeat to Poland.

James Sands - USA

Friday 25 March - Mexico 0-0 USA - World Cup Qualifier
Monday 28 March - USA 5-1 Panama - World Cup Qualifier
Thursday 31 March - Costa Rica 2-0 USA - World Cup Qualifier

James was a part of the United States squad as a win, a draw and a defeat were enough to see them qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The squad drew with Mexico on Friday, before a 5-1 victory over Panama on Monday. Their qualifying campaign concluded with defeat to Costa Rica but a third placed finish in the table saw them qualify.

Ryan Jack - Scotland

Thursday 24 March - Scotland 1-1 Poland - Friendly
Tuesday 29 March - Austria 2-2 Scotland - Friendly

Ryan was introduced as a 77th minute substitute in Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Poland as he made his return to the international squad for his first time since injury.

The midfielder then started on Tuesday evening in a 2-2 draw in Austria playing 58 minutes in Vienna.

Steven Davis - Northern Ireland

Friday 25 March - Luxembourg 1-3 Northern Ireland - Friendly
Tuesday 29 March - Northern Ireland 0-1 Hungary - Friendly

Steven came off the bench as a 63rd minute substitute and got himself on the scoresheet as he netted the second goal in Northern Ireland’s 3-1 friendly victory over Luxembourg on Friday evening.

The midfielder was named in the starting XI for Tuesday’s friendly at home to Hungary playing just over an hour in the 1-0 defeat.

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Borna Barisic - Croatia

Saturday 26 March - Croatia 1-1 Slovenia - Friendly
Tuesday 29 March - Croatia 2-1 Bulgaria - Friendly

Borna travelled with Croatia this international break as they faced two friendlies in Qatar having already qualified for the World Cup as group winners.

The left-back was on the bench in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Slovenia and came into the starting XI for the second friendly against Bulgaria, playing a full 90 minutes in a 2-1 victory at the Education City Stadium.

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Glen Kamara - Finland

Saturday 26 March - Finland 1-1 Iceland - Friendly
Tuesday 29 March - Finland 0-2 Slovakia - Friendly

Glen was introduced as a 73rd minute substitute for Finland as they drew 1-1 with Iceland in their first international friendly in Spain.

The Gers midfielder then played the full 90 minutes on Tuesday in a 2-0 defeat to Slovakia.

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Ben Williamson, Glenn Middleton, Lewis Mayo - Scotland U21

Friday March 25 - Scotland 0-2 Turkey - UEFA Under-21 Championship Qualifier
Tuesday March 29 - Kazakhstan 2-2 Scotland - UEFA Under-21 Championship Qualifier

Ben, Glenn and Lewis were all named in the starting XI for Scotland U21’s on Friday evening as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Turkey at Tynecastle.

After picking up an injury Ben missed out on the second qualifier away to Kazakhstan, with Lewis and Glenn both starting that match once again. Despite taking a 2-0 lead, the hosts came back to draw the game 2-2.

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Charlie McCann, Ross McCausland & Chris McKee - Northern Ireland U21

Friday 25 March - Northern Ireland 1-2 Slovakia - UEFA Under-21 Championship Qualifier
Monday 28 March - France 5-0 Northern Ireland - Friendly

Charlie McCann and Chris McKee both started Northern Ireland’s qualifier on Friday evening, with Ross McCausland named on the bench in the 2-1 defeat.

A tough friendly followed for the young Northern Ireland side as they suffered a 5-0 defeat to France with Chris starting the match while Charlie and Ross were both introduced as substitutes.

Alex Lowry, Jay Hogarth, Adam Devine, Cole McKinnon - Scotland U19

Wednesday 23 March - Turkey 1-2 Scotland - UEFA Euro U19 Elite Round
Saturday 26 March - Hungary 3-0 Scotland - UEFA Euro U19 Elite Round
Tuesday 29 March - Scotland 0-1 Israel - UEFA Euro U19 Elite Round

Alex Lowry scored a double in Scotland U19’s 2-1 victory over Turkey on Wednesday evening, with Jay Hogarth, Adam Devine and Cole McKinnon all named in the squad.

In their second game, the young Scots suffered a 3-0 defeat to Hungary before a late winner for Israel on Tuesday saw them lose out 1-0 in their final match of the international break.

Charlie Lindsay - Northern Ireland U19

Wednesday 23 March - Northern Ireland 2-1 Norway
Friday 25 March - Northern Ireland 0-2 Belgium - Football Federations Cup
Monday 28 March - Northern Ireland 0-1 Czech Republic - Football Federations Cup

Charlie had a goal and an assist in Northern Ireland’s opening Football Federations Cup match as they beat Norway 2-1 in Spain.

He was again named in the starting XI as they lost out 2-0 to Belgium in their second match, before a narrow 1-0 defeat in their final match of the tournament.

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