Five Rangers stars who enhanced their reputations with eyecatching international breaks
Rangers had multiple stars away playing for their nations during the international break.
They will soon be headed back to Glasgow ahead of the Gers’ return to league action – their clash against Hibernian at Ibrox on Saturday afternoon (30 March).
The club can boast both senior international stars like Nigeria’s Cyriel Dessers and developing young academy products like Scotland under-21’s Leon King.
Football Insider has analysed five Rangers stars who had exceptional international breaks.
Cyriel Dessers (29)
Dessers has slowly emerged as one of Rangers’ most impactful players this season, and he is making himself an important part of Jose Peseiro’s Nigeria side.
The striker was handed a start against a strong Ghana side in a friendly on Friday (22 March) and his opening penalty strike in the 38th minute bagged him his second-ever goal for his nation.
The Super Eagles secured a 2-1 win against the Black Stars but did suffer a 2-0 friendly loss to Mali on Tuesday (26 March).
Regardless, Dessers will likely return to Ibrox brimming with confidence.
Leon King (20)
The young centre-back has been starved of senior chances at Rangers having made just three brief cameos in the league this season, but he is a mainstay for the Scotland under-21 side.
King started his sixth consecutive Euro under-21 qualifier against Kazakhstan on Thursday (21 March) and did all he could to secure a clean sheet.
However, Kazakhstan clawed one goal back through a well-dispatched Yan Trufanov consolation penalty in the 67th minute to make it 4-1 to the young Tartan Army.
King is something of a forgotten man at Rangers and will struggle to displace Philippe Clement’s established backline this season, but his continued excellence at international age-group level bodes well for the future.
Adam Devine (21)
Devine is finally earning game time away from Ibrox during his loan move to Motherwell and continued his encouraging second half of the season with a 15-minute cameo against Kazakhstan for Scotland’s under-21s.
He was fielded in right midfield – a change from his typical position at right-back for his nation.
However, Gers fans will be impressed with his continued development and will be pleased that his outings at Fir Park have been good enough for him to retain his spot with his national side.
Fabio Silva (21)
The Wolves loanee bagged himself two goals while away with Portugal’s under-21s.
He notched the opener with a cooly-taken second-half strike against the Faroe Islands before his teammates bagged three more in the closing 10 minutes to confirm a resounding 4-0 Euro qualifier win.
Silva also bagged a 63rd-minute penalty in their next qualifier against Croatia on Tuesday (26 March) to bring his overall goal since his move to Rangers up to six in all competitions.
Portugal look very well-placed to reach the Euros finals, and Silva will take pride in being a huge part of that.
Cole McKinnon (21)
The last of Rangers’ young Scotsmen, McKinnon also added to his international experience with a 15-minute outing against Kazakhstan.
He has also been on the peripheries of the Rangers first-team, having made two senior appearances this season, but his international career has taken its next step after he made just his second appearance for the under-21s.
McKinnon’s outing was his first in Scotland’s Euro qualification campaign and he will be hopeful that manager Scot Gemmill will select him again.
In other news, Rangers ace eyed by Premier League trio after offer submitted – Sources.
For more Rangers and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.