Rangers Players Head For International Duty

RANGERS have a number of players from both the first-team and Academy on international duty this week. Here’s our preview of who is away, what matches are coming up and when they are in action...

Leon Balogun, Calvin Bassey, Joe Aribo - Nigeria

  • Friday 25 March - Ghana v Nigeria - World Cup Play-Off - 7.30pm

  • Tuesday 29 March - Nigeria v Ghana - World Cup Play-Off - 6pm

Leon, Calvin and Joe have all been called up to the Super Eagles squad for their crucial World Cup play-off against Ghana.

The tie will be played over two legs with the aggregate winner securing their place in Qatar later this year.

Nigeria will be away first on Friday evening, before hosting Ghana in the return fixture on Tuesday.

Aaron Ramsay - Wales

  • Thursday 24 March - Wales v Austria - World Cup Play-Off - 7.45pm

Aaron has been called-up to the Wales squad as they host Austria in the 2022 World Cup play-off semi-finals this week.

Rob Page’s squad will welcome Austria to the Cardiff City Stadium for the important fixture as they look to book their place in the play-off finals.

Fil Helander - Sweden

  • Thursday 24 March - Sweden v Czech Republic - World Cup Play-Off - 7.45pm

Fil Helander has been named in the Sweden squad as they continue their bid for a place at this year's World Cup with a play-off semi-final against the Czech Republic.

Should they come through that tie, they will then go on to play Poland in the play-off final on Tuesday, March 29 for one of three World Cup play-off places available.

Alfredo Morelos - Colombia

  • Thursday 24 March - Colombia v Bolivia - World Cup Qualifier - 11.30pm

  • Wednesday 30 March - Venezuela v Colombia - World Cup Qualifier - 12.30am

Alfredo has been called-up to the Colombia national team as they face two World Cup qualifiers.

Colombia will be looking for two victories against Bolivia and Venezuela as they aim to keep their qualification hopes alive.

They are at home to Bolivia on Thursday evening, before facing Venezuela away next Wednesday.

James Sands - USA

  • Friday 25 March - Mexico v USA - World Cup Qualifier - 2am

  • Monday 28 March - USA v Panama - World Cup Qualifier - 12am

  • Thursday 31 March - Costa Rica v USA - World Cup Qualifier - 2.05am

James will be a part of the USA men’s national team squad for three World Cup qualifiers as they look to secure their place at this year’s tournament.

First-up they face Mexico away, before hosting Panama in Orlando. They will then end their qualifying campaign with a trip to Costa Rica.

Five points from the three games are set to guarantee the USA a place at the World Cup.

Ryan Jack - Scotland

  • Thursday 24 March - Scotland v Poland - Friendly - 7.45pm

Ryan has been named in Steve Clarke’s squad for the first time since recovering from a injury.

With Scotland’s World Cup play-off against Ukraine postponed, they will now face Poland in a friendly at Hampden on Thursday evening.

Steven Davis - Northern Ireland

  • Friday 25 March - Luxembourg v Northern Ireland - Friendly - 7.15pm

  • Tuesday 29 March - Northern Ireland v Hungary - Friendly - 7.45pm

Steven has been named in Ian Baraclough’s 25-man Northern Ireland squad as they play two friendlies over this international break.

The midfielder will travel with his country to take on Luxembourg on Friday evening, before a home match at Windsor Park against Hungary on Tuesday.

Borna Barisic - Croatia

  • Saturday 26 March - Croatia v Slovenia - Friendly - 2pm

  • Tuesday 29 March - Croatia v Bulgaria - Friendly - 3pm

Having already qualified for the World Cup as group winners, Borna will travel to Qatar with Croatia for two international friendlies.

On Saturday, Croatia will face Slovenia before a match against Bulgaria on Tuesday afternoon.

Both matches will be played at Education City Stadium on the outskirts of Doha.

Glen Kamara - Finland

  • Saturday 26 March - Finland v Iceland - Friendly - 4pm

  • Tuesday 29 March - Finland v Slovakia - Friendly - 5pm

Glen has once again been named in the Finland squad as they travel to Spain for an international camp.

They will play two friendlies in Murcia, firstly against Iceland on Saturday before taking on Slovakia on Tuesday.

Ben Williamson, Glenn Middleton, Lewis Mayo - Scotland U21

  • Friday March 25 - Scotland v Turkey - UEFA Under-21 Championship Qualifier - 7.05pm

  • Tuesday March 29 - Kazakhstan v Scotland - UEFA Under-21 Championship Qualifier - 11am

Three Rangers players have been named in Scot Gemmill’s Under-21 squad for their double-header of qualifiers.

Ben Williamson, Glenn Middleton and Lewis Mayo have been called-up as Scotland continue their qualifying campaign.

They host Turkey at Tynecastle on Friday evening before a trip to Kazakhstan on Tuesday.

Charlie McCann, Ross McCausland - Northern Ireland U21

  • Friday 25 March - Northern Ireland v Slovakia - UEFA Under-21 Championship Qualifier - 3pm

  • Monday 28 March - France v Northern Ireland - Friendly - 7.45pm

Charlie McCann and Ross McCausland have both been called-up to Northern Ireland’s Under-21 squad for the first time ahead of upcoming fixtures.

They will host Slovakia in a UEFA Euro 2023 qualifying match on Friday, before travelling to Calais for a friendly against France on Monday evening.

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

  • Wednesday 23 March - Turkey v Scotland - UEFA Euro U19 Elite Round - 3pm

  • Saturday 26 March - Hungary v Scotland - UEFA Euro U19 Elite Round - 6.45pm

  • Tuesday 29 March - Scotland v Israel - UEFA Euro U19 Elite Round - 5pm

Four Rangers players have been named in Billy Stark’s 20-player squad for the upcoming fixtures.

Alex Lowry, Jay Hogarth, Adam Devine and Cole McKinnon will all travel to Hungary with the squad for Group 1 of the UEFA Euro U19 Elite Round.

They will face Turkey, Hungary and Israel at Gyirmoti Stadion in Gyor.

Charlie Lindsay - Northern Ireland U19

  • Wednesday 23 March - Northern Ireland v Norway - Football Federations Cup - 4pm

  • Friday 25 March - Northern Ireland v Belgium - Football Federations Cup - 12pm

  • Monday 28 March - Northern Ireland v Czech Republic - Football Federations Cup - 12pm

Charlie Lindsay has been named in Northern Ireland’s Under-19 squad as they compete in the Football Federations Cup in Spain.

The international tournament will be used as preparation for Euro qualifiers later this year, as they face three games against Norway, Belgium and the Czech Republic.