Ahead of the tightest title run-in in over a decade, Rangers fans have been watching the days tick by slowly in this international break.
At times it’s been an excruciating two weeks with the excitement of the league campaign put on ice amid a series of pre-Euro 2024 friendlies.
Even if there was competitive action to round-off, namely the summer competition’s playoffs, for Rangers fans desperate to see their charges march towards 56, at times it’ll have felt like the longest break of their lives.
Now, the wait is almost over as Rangers prepare to face off against Hibs in the Scottish Premiership this weekend but before the nation’s game kicks back off let’s take a final breather.
In a fortnight we’ve all collectively just wished away, here’s the biggest winners and the sorest losers from an Ibrox point of view.
Rangers international break winners
Dr. Mark Waller
Ok, so the good Doctor might not have kicked a ball during the international fortnight but in a season of medical emergencies we’re pretty sure Mark Waller will have appreciated the breather.
Well, not so much the Rangers Director of Medical & Performance himself, but rather the multitude of Ibrox stars who’re laid up on the treatment table waiting to return.
With seven players injured heading into the international fortnight, as many as four or five could return for the clash with Hibs and it’s an exciting prospect for Rangers and Philippe Clement.
The club’s injury problems may not be ready to relent just yet, but my God how our fitness staff would’ve relished the chance to reassess the squad amid a relentless schedule.
Cyriel Dessers
The Nigerian Nightmare himself Cyriel Dessers was back in the dark green of the Super Eagles during the break and got his chance to impress on the international stage.
The Rangers striker is as enigmatic a number 9 as they come with his 16 goals this season belying a distinct inability to ruthlessly finish some of his bigger chances.
This dichotomy between robust, sharp striker and hap-hazard finisher was in full sight on Nigeria duties too as Cyriel Dessers hit the net for his country but also fluffed his lines.
Netting from the penalty spot in a 2-1 win over Ghana, the striker missed a gilt-edged chance in the eventual 2-0 defeat to Mali with the scoreline at 1-0.
Still, the big man is back in the international picture and got himself on the scoresheet, making him a winner in our book. Nice one Cyriel, nice one son.
Ianis Hagi
Romania’s Golden Boy looked a million miles away from a Rangers return in the summer but in recent weeks that narrative has somewhat shifted.
Ianis Hagi hasn’t had the best of times out on loan at La Liga Alaves but once again called up to Romania duties, the 25-year-old showed he has international star quality.
Coming off the bench in friendly clashes against Northern Ireland (H) and Colombia (A), it was a headline-making set of substitute appearances for different reasons.
Clipped saluting Rangers fans in the Northern Ireland end, it’s fuelled the suggestion that he’s coming back to Ibrox with a point to prove and the discussion around that.
Also scoring against Colombia, the attacking midfielder showed that he’s still got plenty to contribute for Romania as they prepare to head to Euro 2024.
Rangers international break losers
Ridvan Yilmaz
Just when poor Mark Waller was hoping to get a breather for some of his energy-sapped stars was Ridvan Yilmaz getting a late call up to the Turkey set-up.
The left-back has been one of Philippe Clement’s brightest players in recent weeks and with Trabzonspor-bound Borna Barisic regressing, Ridvan has emerged as a key component in the Belgian’s side.
So naturally the Rangers support let out a collective groan which could be heard in Timbuktu when news broke surrounding a fresh Ridvan Yilmaz injury.
Subbed off early on in Turkey’s eventual 1-0 defeat to Hungary, there have been suggestions of the dreaded 7-10 days prognosis and a quick fire return. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Rabbi Matondo
In another example of Rangers’ walking wounded, the frustrating attacker Rabbi Matondo has overcome a series of recent issues to make it back into the Wales squad.
But despite earning a recall, Rabbi Matondo was unused in the 4-1 Euro 2024 playoff win over Finland and in the spirt-crushing penalty kicks defeat to Poland in the final match of qualifying.
It means there will be no Wales team and no Rabbi Matondo at Euro 2024 and – as if to add insult to injury – manager Rob Page will be given until after World Cup qualifying to prove he can cut with the country.
Whilst that might be good news for Rabbi Matondo, it’s bad news for Tom Lawrence amid allegations the Rangers playmaker doesn’t see eye-to-eye with the manager.
Still, whilst Rabbi will be gutted to have missed out here at least he should be fit for the run-in.
Jack Butland
Heading into the final pre-Euro 2024 international fortnight, the sounds around former England international goalkeeper Jack Butland were exceptionally positive.
The Ibrox stopper, 31, had been tipped for an England recall but found himself out of the side at the expense of three Premier League options.
But whilst Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), and Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace) made the initial squad, Gareth Southgate would soon add insult to injury.
With Johnstone now out for the season – and having to pull out of the England squad – the Three Lions boss preferred to call up Burnley’s James Trafford before the Ibrox number one.
The situation means that Butland is amongst eight Rangers players who have a chance of making Euro 2024, but it certainly doesn’t bode well.
