Men's International Review
A NUMBER of Rangers players were away on international duty this week and we’ve pulled together this helpful guide to review how they fared for their countries.
John Souttar - Scotland
Netherlands 4-0 Scotland - Friday, March 22 - Friendly
Scotland 0-1 Northern Ireland - Tuesday, March 26 - Friendly
It was a disappointing international break for Scotland as they ramp up their preparations for the European Championships this summer.
John was a second half substitute in the defeat away to the Netherlands on Friday evening, with Ronald Koeman’s side netting three times in the final 18 minutes to take the game away from the visitors.
The Tartan Army then suffered a 1-0 reverse to Northern Ireland at Hampden Stadium yesterday evening as Liverpool full-back Connor Bradley netted the solitary goal.
Rabbi Matondo - Wales
Wales 4-1 Finland - Thursday, March 21 – European Championship Qualifiers
Wales 0-0 Poland (4-5 on pens) – Tuesday, March 26 – European Championship Qualifiers
Rabbi was an unused substitute in both of Wales’ European Championship qualifying encounters as Rob Page’s side suffered penalty shootout heartbreak.
Indeed, hopes were raised among the Wales faithful when they booked their place in the winner-takes-all clash with a comprehensive 4-1 triumph over Finland in Cardiff.
However, they would lose out on spot-kicks to Poland with a place in this summer’s European Championships at stake, with Dan James spurning the decisive penalty.
Ridvan Yilmaz – Turkey
Hungary 1-0 Turkey – Thursday, March 22 – Friendly
Ridvan’s international exploits were cut short in the first half of Turkey’s narrow defeat to Hungary.
Already assured of a place at this summer’s European Championships, Turkey then slumped to a 6-1 defeat to Austria in the full-back’s absence last night.
Cyriel Dessers - Nigeria
Nigeria 2-1 Ghana - Friday, March 22 - Friendly
Mali 2-0 Nigeria - Tuesday, March 26 - Friendly
It was a goalscoring international window for Cyriel as the forward netted in Nigeria’s friendly triumph over Ghana.
The 29-year-old opened the scoring with a confidently-taken spot-kick in the victory, before Atalanta wide man Ademola Lookman doubled Nigeria’s advantage.
Cyriel was then an early substitute, replacing Moses Simon, as the Super Eagles fell to a 2-0 defeat to Mali yesterday evening.
Fabio Silva - Portugal Under-21s
Portugal Under-21s 4-0 Faroe Islands Under-21s - Thursday, March 21 - Under-21s European Championship Qualifiers
Portugal Under-21s 5-1 Croatia Under-21s - Tuesday, March 26 – Under-21 European Championship Qualifiers
Fabio enjoyed a positive international window as Portugal recorded back-to-back victories in European Championship qualifying.
The 21-year-old opened the scoring in the 4-0 rout of the Faroe Islands just shortly after the half-time interval.
And his precocious talent was underlined in a fantastic individual display in the emphatic victory over Croatia, with the forward scoring and grabbing two assists as Portugal ran riot.
Leon King, Adam Devine, Cole McKinnon - Scotland Under-21s
Scotland Under-21s 4-1 Kazakhstan Under-21s - Thursday, March 21 - Under-21 European Championship Qualifiers
All three Rangers representatives featured as Scotland marched to a 4-1 victory over Kazakhstan in Paisley.
Leon King was given the nod from the off, while both Adam Devine and Cole McKinnon were second half substitutes in the qualifying triumph.
It was a priceless victory for Scot Gemmill’s side as they eye up a place at the European Championships.
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