Rangers International Break Round Up: The Early Stages

As you may have noticed, the final international break until March 2027 is upon us, and with it, there has already been plenty of action for Rangers players. Let’s take a look at how they have been getting on so far.

The first player from Derek McInnes’ side to feature was Nicolas Raskin, who played 93 minutes of Belgium’s 2-1 win away to Turkey in the UEFA Nations League.

This win was not enough to move the Red Devils from third place in the group, but it means they still have a chance of topping the group going into the final game.

Belgium currently have nine points from their five games, whilst Italy and France are ahead with ten points. Should they beat the former at home on Sunday at 19:45 GMT, they will secure qualification to the quarter finals, and will win the group if France slip up vs Turkey.

Later on on Thuraday, Ryan Naderi started and played 66 minutes for Czechia as they lost 2-0 at home to Spain. They will need to beat Croatia away from home on Sunday at 19:45 to avoid direct relegation to League B.

Speaking of, Ivor Pandur was an unused sub for the Croatians as they lost 2-1 away to England. As touched on there, they need just a point against Czechia at home to avoid direct relegation.

Onto Friday, where there was late heartbreak for Olwethu Makhanya and South Africa, as a stoppage time equaliser confined them to a 2-2 draw at home to Kenya in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. The Rangers defender played the full game.

Despite this, they still top the group with seven points from their three games. The reverse fixture of this double header will take place on Tuesday at 16:00.

Elsewhere in Africa, Djeidi Gassama played 85 minutes for Mauritania as they lost 1-0 away to Burkina Faso. This result leaves them third in the group with just three points from their three games so far.

Once again this is a double header during this international break, and the reverse fixture will take place on Tuesday at 19:00.

Back in Europe, where both James Penrice and Findlay Curtis were unused subs for Scotland, as they pulled off a hugely important 2-1 win at home to North Macedonia.

This victory leaves them third in the group with seven points from five games. They will play away to group winners Switzerland on Monday at 19:45 - where a win could leave them in the promotion play off spot.

Right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic played the full 90 for Serbia as they lost 3-1 at home to Germany, making it five defeats from five in the Nations League, and a relegation to League B. They will finish off away to Greece on Monday at 19:45. Vanja Dragojevic came on as a half time sub, but was sent off after 76 minutes, meaning his international break is over, as he will be suspended against Greece.

As always, we will keep you updated here at Roundtable on all things Rangers during this international break.