RANGERS have had a number of players away on international duty over the past week or so with UEFA European Championship play-off qualifying matches taking place.
Here is our review of who was involved and how they fared:
Jenna Fife, Nicola Docherty, Chelsea Cornet and Brogan Hay – Scotland
• Scotland 0-0 Finland – UEFA European Championship Play-off Final first leg
• Finland 2-0 Scotland – UEFA European Championship Play-off Final second leg
Four Rangers stars were involved for Scotland in their European Championship play-off final where they suffered heartache at the hands of Finland.
The two sides played out a goalless draw at Easter Road on Friday evening with Light Blues captain Nicola Docherty starting the contest and midfielder Chelsea Cornet being introduced as a second half substitute.
It was all to play for as they faced off once again in freezing conditions in Helsinki last night, but the hosts came out on top as they booked their place in next summer’s finals that will be played in Switzerland as the Scots failed to capitalise on an impressive year of results overall.
Laura Rafferty and Megan Bell – Northern Ireland
• Northern Ireland 0-4 Norway – UEFA European Championship Play-off Final first leg
• Norway 3-0 Northern Ireland – UEFA European Championship Play-off Final second leg
There were also two Gers representing Northern Ireland over the most recent break as they also went in search of booking their place at next summer’s finals.
Underdogs heading into the tie, there was a start for Light Blues defender Laura Rafferty with Megan Bell introduced from the bench as their nation fell to a 3-0 loss at Inver Park in the first leg.
A further start for the centre-back was to follow but with Tanya Oxtoby’s side having it all to do in the second leg they were comfortably beaten as it was Norway who claimed their spot with a convincing aggregate victory.
Liv McLoughlin – England Under-23s
• Norway Under-23s 0-0 England Under-23s – WU23 European Competition
• England Under-23s 1-2 Sweden Under-23s – WU23 European Competition
Liv was once again part of the England Under-23s squad in their final outings of 2024 after featuring for the first time at that age group in last month’s matches.
The youngster was introduced as a substitute as they played out a goalless draw with Norway on Thursday evening before earning a start for her nation in Monday night’s 2-1 defeat to Sweden at the Eco-Power Stadium.
Laura Berry, Mason Clark, Mia McAulay, Millie Paton, Abi Tobin and CaCee McKenna – Scotland Under-19s
• Netherlands Under-19s 6-3 Scotland Under-19s – Under-19s European Championship Round One Qualifier
• Sweden Under-19s 1-2 Scotland Under-19s – Under-19s European Championship Round One Qualifier
• Scotland Under-19s 3-0 Hungary Under-19s – Under-19s European Championship Round One Qualifier
There were some positives for the Gers youth stars who were involved for Scotland Under-19s in their European Championship Round One qualifiers over the most recent break.
Mia McAulay was named captain for the day as the Scots were involved in an entertaining 6-3 defeat to the Dutch in a match where youngster Laura Berry scored a first half hat-trick in a week where she was named SWF Youth Player of the Year.
There were then further starts for the Gers duo as well as Mason Clark as the young Scots claimed an impressive 2-1 win over Sweden. A further victory over Hungary was to follow yesterday afternoon with Berry finding the scoresheet on further two occasions as her side secured their place in the Round Two of qualifying to be played in the new year.