RANGERS will once again be represented around the world this coming week with a fantastic number of players from both the first-team and the Academy set to feature for their national teams.
Here’s our preview of who is away and when they’ll be playing:
FIRST-TEAM
Scotland – Nathan Patterson
Nathan’s self-isolation means he will miss Scotland’s trip to Denmark tonight (Wednesday), but he could feature at Hampden against Moldova on Saturday night and also away to Austria next Tuesday night.
The Scots are second in Group F – four points behind leaders Denmark and one ahead of both Austria and Israel with three matches played thus far. All the group winners from Europe qualify automatically for Qatar 2022, while the runners-up go into a new second round which will be played next March.
Fixtures
Denmark v Scotland – Wednesday 1 Sep – 19:45
Scotland v Moldova – Saturday 4 Sep – 19:45
Austria v Scotland – Tuesday 7 Sep – 19:45
Northern Ireland – Steven Davis
Mr Northern Ireland is once again in their squad, and they have matches away to Lithuania on Thursday and then at home to Switzerland next Wednesday to look forward to, as well as a friendly at Estonia on Sunday.
With just a point from their opening two matches, the Ulstermen could be doing with taking something from both competitive matches, with the Swiss in second already five points ahead and group leaders and European champions Italy streaking ahead on nine points.
Fixtures
Lithuania v Northern Ireland – Thursday 2 Sep – 19:45
Estonia v Northern Ireland – Sunday 5 Sep – 17:00 (friendly)
Northern Ireland v Switzerland – Wednesday 7 Sep – 19:45
Filip Helander – Sweden
Fil is in the Sweden squad for their hugely exciting qualifier against Spain on Thursday, a friendly with Uzbekistan on Sunday and then their away match at Greece next Wednesday.
Sweden are second in Group B with maximum points from their two games played thus far, albeit Spain have played a game more and are on seven points.
Fixtures
Sweden v Spain – Thursday 2 Sep – 19:45
Sweden v Uzbekistan – Sunday 4 Sep – 17:00
Greece v Spain – Wednesday 7 Sep – 19:45
Glen Kamara – Finland
Finland begin this international window with a friendly against Wales tonight (Wednesday) before hosting Kazakhstan on Saturday and then facing a fantastic test at France on Tuesday.
Finland have two points from their opening two games – already five behind France but just one off second-placed Ukraine who have played a game more.
Fixtures
Finland v Wales – Wednesday 1 September – 17:00 (friendly)
Finland v Kazakhstan – Saturday 4 Sep – 14:00
France v Finland – Tuesday 7 Sep – 19:45
Borna Barisic – Croatia
Croatia begin a triple-header of World Cup qualifiers in Russia tonight (Wednesday) before traveling to Slovakia on Saturday and then hosting Slovenia on Tuesday.
The Croatians sit top of Group H on goal difference to Russia with six points.
Fixtures
Russia v Croatia – Wednesday 1 Sep – 19:45
Slovakia v Croatia – Saturday 4 Sep – 19:45
Croatia v Slovenia – Tuesday 7 Sep – 19:45
Ianis Hagi - Romania
Romania will be looking to get back on track in a very open qualifying Group J when they head to Iceland on Thursday.
That is followed by a home match with Liechtenstein on Sunday and then a match at North Macedonia next Wednesday.
The Romanians have three points from their opening three matches – three behind Germany and North Macedonia, and six behind leaders Armenia.
Fixtures
Iceland v Romania – Thursday 2 Sep – 19:45
Romania v Liechtenstein – Sunday 5 Sep – 19:45
North Macedonia v Romania – Wednesday 8 Sep – 19:45
Leon Balogun & Joe Aribo - Nigeria
Nigeria get their World Cup qualifying, second round campaign underway this weekend, with Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo both in the squad.
The Super Eagles host the Central African Republic on Friday at 5pm before traveling to face Cape Verde on Tuesday. The 10 group winners from this round progress into five home and away ties to finalise Africa’s entrants to next winter’s tournament.
Fixtures
Nigeria v Central African Republic – Friday 3 Sep – 17:00
Cape Verde v Nigeria – Tuesday 7 Sep – 17:00
ACADEMY
Scotland Under-21s –Lewis Budinauckas, Lewis Mayo, Ben Williamson, Kai Kennedy, Glenn Middleton, Stephen Kelly
Scotland under-21s have a training camp in Wales before traveling to Turkey next week for their first Euro 2023 qualifier.
As well as the Turks, they are in a tough group with Belgium, Denmark and Kazakhstan. Fixtures
Turkey v Scotland – Tuesday 7 Sep – 19:30
Scotland Under-19 – Jay Hogarth, Adam Devine, Leon King, Cole McKinnon, Alex Lowry
Rangers also have five players, who all play in the B team, in the under-19 squad for a training camp.
Scotland Under-17 – Greig Allen, Jacob Pasikas, Rory Wilson, Zak McKay
The under-17s, meanwhile, have two games against Wales at Forthbank with Rangers again very well represented.
Fixtures
Scotland v Wales – Thursday 2 Sep – 19:00
Scotland v Wales – Sunday 5 Sep – 11:00
Northern Ireland Under-21 – Kyle McLelland
Kyle is in the Northern Ireland squad for their under-21 qualifying matches away to Malta and at home to Slovakia.
The young Ulstermen are in a group which also contains Spain, Russia and Lithuania.
Fixtures
Malta v Northern Ireland – Friday 3 Sep – 19:00
Northern Ireland v Slovakia – Friday 7 Sep – 19:00
Northern Ireland Under-19 – Ross McCausland, Lewis Mackinnon
Ross and Lewis are in the Northern Ireland squad for a friendly double-header with the Faroe Islands at Glentoran’s Oval and then Glenavon’s Mourneview Park.
Fixtures
Northern Ireland v Faroe Islands – Wednesday 1 Sep – 15:00
Northern Ireland v Faroe Islands – Friday 3 Sep – 15:00