Rangers International Review

RANGERS have had a number of players involved in international duty over the past week with several UEFA Nations League fixtures and international friendlies taking place.

Here is a roundup of who was involved and how they got on:

Jenna Fife, Nicola Docherty, Rachel McLauchlan, Kirsty Maclean, Kirsty Howat – Scotland

  • England 2-1 Scotland - UEFA Nations League

  • Scotland 1-1 Belgium - UEFA Nations League

Several Gers players were involved in Scotland’s opening two UEFA Nations League fixtures during the international break as they took on England and Belgium picking up their first point in the competition last night.

There were starts for Light Blues captain Nicola Docherty as well as Rachel McLauchlan in the backline. Pedro Martinez Losa’s side put on a spirited performance against the recent European champions and World Cup finalists, but narrowly fell to a 2-1 defeat at the Stadium of Light on Friday evening.

First half goals from Lucy Bronze and Lauren Hemp put the Lionesses in control of the contest on the night before Kirsty Hanson halved the deficit in first half stoppage time. The Scots battled hard put ultimately came out empty handed but with a showing to build on for the future.

They looked to be heading for back to back defeats during the break before a late Sophie Howard header levelled up the scoring at Hampden Stadium as Scotland got off the mark in the Nations League.

The fixture last night again saw starts for Docherty and McLauchlan once again with the former picking up the player of the match award for her performance. Gers midfielder Kirsty Maclean also featured in the home contest as she made an appearance from the substitutes bench in the second half.

There was also a special moment for Rangers forward Kirsty Howat during the international break, with the striker receiving her first ever call-up to the senior national squad replacing former Ger Emma Watson ahead of the second fixture.

The forward was rewarded by her country for an impressive start to the league campaign, finding the scoresheet on 10 occasions as well as providing nine assists in 10 outings so far, as she took her place in the squad for last night’s match at the national stadium.

Megan Bell – Northern Ireland

  • Republic of Ireland 3-0 Northern Ireland – UEFA Nations League

  • Northern Ireland 1-0 Albania – UEFA Nations League

Megan was part of the Northern Ireland side that claimed their first victory in the competition in their second outing after bouncing back from their weekend defeat.

The Gers midfielder was an unused substitute as Tanya Oxtoby’s side fell to a 3-0 defeat against their neighbours as the Republic of Ireland got off to the perfect start in the group on Saturday afternoon.

The 22-year-old was recalled to the starting line-up for their fixture against Albania three days later as they ran out 1-0 winners with Lauren Wade’s goal on 57 minutes enough to separate the two sides on the night.

Rachel Rowe – Wales

  • Iceland 1-0 Wales – UEFA Nations League

  • Wales 1-5 Denmark - UEFA Nations League

The Rangers attacking midfielder was part of the Wales squad that suffered back to back defeats in their opening Nations League fixtures over the break.

Rowe made an appearance from the substitutes bench as she continues to make her return to full fitness as Gemma Grainger’s side were beaten 1-0 away to Iceland on Friday.

The 31-year-old was in the starting side for their second fixture of the break as her nation fell to a 5-1 home defeat to Denmark in what was her first start in a game since the opening day of the league season on August 13.

Victoria Esson – New Zealand

  • Chile 3-0 New Zealand – Friendly

  • Chile 2-1 New Zealand – Friendly

Victoria was part of the New Zealand squad that took on Chile in two consecutive international friendlies over the break.

The Rangers goalkeeper started and played the entirety of the first clash between the two sides as the South American’s ran out 3-0 winners on Saturday afternoon.

The Football Ferns were narrowly beaten in the second match between the teams three days later, with the shot stopper on the bench as they fell to a 2-1 defeat after a last-gasp winner.

Jodi McLeary, Laura Berry, Mia McAulay, Eilidh Austin, Mason Clark and Kayla Jardine – Scotland Under-19s

  • Scotland Under-19s 2-0 Hungary Under-19s – Friendly

  • Scotland Under-19s 1-2 Hungary Under-19s – Friendly

There were several Rangers youngsters involved as the young Scots took on Hungary at Ainslie Park in Edinburgh on two occasions.

There was a special moment for Jodi McLeary who was given the captain’s armband on the day as she also got on the scoresheet along with fellow Gers teammate Eilidh Austin as they picked up a 2-0 win on Friday afternoon.

Clark, Jardine and Austin were all named in the starting side for the second matchup between the two teams yesterday afternoon, as Scotland fell to a 2-1 loss.

Light Blues striker Laura Berry did get on the scoresheet in the match however, appearing off the bench and finding the back of the net for the second time at Ainslie Park this season. After scoring her first competitive goal on the same pitch against Spartans on the opening day of the league season.


  • FIXTURES: Add the Rangers SWPL fixtures to your calendar HERE

  • SHOP: Shop the latest arrivals instore at the Rangers Store and online HERE

  • RANGERSTV: Get closer to your club with RangersTV subscription HERE

  • MYGERS: Enjoy exclusive experiences, discounts and events with a MyGers membership HERE