Rangers Players Head For International Duty

THE domestic action may have paused, but 15 Rangers players are set for action this week with the first international football action in nearly 10 months.

It’s a fantastic total for the club to have away representing their nations, and highlights the superb development of the side in the last two seasons to now have so many international players.

Indeed, with it only being UEFA nations playing in this international window, the number would likely be even higher with the likes of, , and all previously being involved with their countries.

Cedric Itten was also called-up for Switzerland’s Nations League meetings with Ukraine and Germany, but misses out with a calf problem.

Here’s our preview then of who is playing over the next 10 days or so, who they are up against and when. (All times UK).

Croatia:

Borna will be looking to win caps 13 and 14 of his international career as Croatia open their UEFA Nations League campaign with matches away to Portugal on Saturday and then at France next Tuesday.

He has, of course, begun the season in super form for Rangers, and will be looking to get the World Cup runners-up off to a strong start in League A Group 3, with that pool also containing Fil Helander’s Sweden.

Saturday 4 September: Portugal v Croatia – 19:45
Tuesday 8 September: France v Croatia – 19:45

Finland:

Euro 2020-bound Finland will be looking to build momentum going into next summer’s rescheduled tournament when they host Wales on Thursday before traveling to the Republic of Ireland on Sunday evening.

Capped 18 times already by the Finns, Kamara will also be looking to build on a strong start to the season in League B Group 4 which also involves Bulgaria.

Thursday 3 September: Finland v Wales - 19:45
Sunday 6 September: Republic of Ireland v Finland - 17:00

Northern Ireland: &

Steven Davis can match goalkeeper Pat Jennings’ total of 119 international caps when Northern Ireland face Ianis Hagi’s Romania away and Norway at home.

Speaking to RangersTV prior to heading off, Davis explained: “It will be huge and I probably never thought it possible and it was never really a target of mine when I set out playing.

“I’ve obviously had a good international career and enjoy going away with the team. It’s another opportunity for me to get a couple of caps and start off the Nations League in good form hopefully.

“It will be interesting as everybody will be at different stages in-terms of their seasons finishing and starting again, and we also have the new manager [Ian Baraclough] as well.”

Jordan Jones is also in the Northern Ireland squad from the Light Blues, and they will be looking to get up to speed ahead of their UEFA Euro 2020 play-off semi-final away to Bosnia next month.

Friday 4 September: Romania v Northern Ireland – 19:45
Monday 7 September: Northern Ireland v Norway – 19:45

Romania:

Ianis Hagi could well come up against Steven Davis and Jordan Jones when Romania host Northern Ireland in League B Group 1.

After facing the Ulstermen, Romania travel to Austria on Monday.

Friday 4 September: Romania v Northern Ireland – 19:45
Monday 7 September: Austria v Romania – 19:45

Scotland: , & Robby McCrorie

Rangers have three players in the Scotland squad for their matches with Israel on Friday at Hampden before their trip to the Czech Republic next Monday in Nations League B, Group 2.

Jon McLaughlin will be looking to win his third cap and Ryan Jack his fourth, while Robby McCrorie, currently on-loan at Livingston, has been called into the pool for the first-time.

Speaking last week when he was included in the squad, McCrorie said: "I have been very fortunate coming through the age groups - under-15s right up to have been involved, and to get my first call-up for the A squad is another step in hopefully the right direction.

"It is an amazing feeling and I just want to make the most of it."

Friday 4 September: Scotland v Israel – 19:45
Monday 7 September: Czech Republic v Scotland – 19:45

Scotland U21: Nathan Patterson, Kieran Wright, Lewis Mayo, Glenn Middleton, Stephen Kelly, Ross McCrorie

The Scotland under-21 squad contains no-less than six Rangers players, with three of those currently out on-loan.

Looking to make their debut at this level in their UEFA Euro Under-21 qualifier with Lithuania are Nathan Patterson and Lewis Mayo, the duo having joined the squad at that age group for the first time today.

18 year-old Patterson told us just after he was called-up: “It’s a great achievement and it’s always brilliant to go away with your national squad, especially this time with it being the first-time I’ve been in the under-21s.

“I have been keeping my head down and working hard. It’s paying off and I am delighted.”