International Players At Ibrox

[ian1964 10,415]

By Andrew Dickson

 

PEDRO MENDES has been handed a massive boost ahead of Sunday's Old Firm derby with a recall to the Portugal squad.

 

The midfielder is one of 18 Rangers players who have been called up on international duty next week.

 

Many of those selected were expected to join up with their national associations for World Cup qualifiers, African Nations matches, youth games and friendlies.

 

But Mendes wasn't anticipating a summons after winning his last cap for his country more than five and a half years ago against Italy.

 

His early form at Ibrox following his move from Portsmouth appears to have found favour with new Portugal manager Carlos Queiroz.

 

And the former Manchester United assistant manager has selected him for matches with Malta and Denmark in the coming days.

 

The staggering tally of players who will be away from Murray Park next week is largely down to the number who will be in Scotland's squad.

 

Allan McGregor, David Weir, Kevin Thomson, Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller have all been picked for meetings with Macedonia and Iceland.

 

Kyle Lafferty and Steven Davis will also be on their travels for Northern Ireland's games against Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

 

DaMarcus Beasley and Maurice Edu will play for the United States of America as they visit Cuba for the very first time.

 

And Madjid Bougherra and Brahim Hemdani will team up for Algeria in their home African Nations Cup preliminary match against Senegal.

 

Sasa Papac is in Bosnia-Herzegovina's squad to face European champions Spain and Estonia.

 

In addition, four Light Blues youngsters have been asked to appear in selected age group matches around Europe.

 

Steven Lennon, currently on loan at Partick Thistle, is in Scotland's under-21 squad for UEFA Championship qualifiers against Slovakia and Denmark.

 

In the same competition, Giorgos Efrem will represent Cyprus against Belgium and Andrew Little will play for Northern Ireland against Germany.

 

Arturs Vaiculis, Rangers' under-19 goalkeeper, completes the jet-setting pack when he joins Latvia for two friendlies with Belarus at that level.

[alexscottislegend 2,064]

By Andrew Dickson

 

PEDRO MENDES has been handed a massive boost ahead of Sunday's Old Firm derby with a recall to the Portugal squad.

 

The midfielder is one of 18 Rangers players who have been called up on international duty next week.

 

Many of those selected were expected to join up with their national associations for World Cup qualifiers, African Nations matches, youth games and friendlies.

 

But Mendes wasn't anticipating a summons after winning his last cap for his country more than five and a half years ago against Italy.

 

His early form at Ibrox following his move from Portsmouth appears to have found favour with new Portugal manager Carlos Queiroz.

 

And the former Manchester United assistant manager has selected him for matches with Malta and Denmark in the coming days.

 

The staggering tally of players who will be away from Murray Park next week is largely down to the number who will be in Scotland's squad.

 

Allan McGregor, David Weir, Kevin Thomson, Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller have all been picked for meetings with Macedonia and Iceland.

 

Kyle Lafferty and Steven Davis will also be on their travels for Northern Ireland's games against Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

 

DaMarcus Beasley and Maurice Edu will play for the United States of America as they visit Cuba for the very first time.

 

And Madjid Bougherra and Brahim Hemdani will team up for Algeria in their home African Nations Cup preliminary match against Senegal.

 

Sasa Papac is in Bosnia-Herzegovina's squad to face European champions Spain and Estonia.

 

In addition, four Light Blues youngsters have been asked to appear in selected age group matches around Europe.

 

Steven Lennon, currently on loan at Partick Thistle, is in Scotland's under-21 squad for UEFA Championship qualifiers against Slovakia and Denmark.

 

In the same competition, Giorgos Efrem will represent Cyprus against Belgium and Andrew Little will play for Northern Ireland against Germany.

 

Arturs Vaiculis, Rangers' under-19 goalkeeper, completes the jet-setting pack when he joins Latvia for two friendlies with Belarus at that level.

 

That's a slap in the face for those who say moving to the SPL could harm your international chances. All the more credit to Pedro who knew he wouldn't be playing Champions League football yet still came.

[DJBlue72 0]

Well done Mendes and Hats off to Carlos Queiroz for not holding predgidises agianst playing in the SPL like so many other international Managers have down the years.

 

Hope Mendes impresses the manager and holds a place in the sqaud down.

 

Also well done to the rest of the squad on their respective call ups hope they all give good performances during these Internationals.

[fraser54 0]

Good to see alot of our players represnting their national teams

[calscot 0]

I only count 17...???

[alanmidd 0]

I only count 17...???

try again..I got 18

[scooter657 0]

I only get 17 too....

[Whosthedado 1,499]

I don't know if it's such a good thing if I'm honest. How many times have our players been injured on International Duty.... a good few spring to mind. It's good for the players to represent their country, but has its downfall as far as the Club is concerned i think

[ian1964 10,415]

I don't know if it's such a good thing if I'm honest. How many times have our players been injured on International Duty.... a good few spring to mind. It's good for the players to represent their country, but has its downfall as far as the Club is concerned i think

 

True,but we don't have european football to contend with so I hope that eases the normal strains of '' The modern day footballer ''.

[fraser54 0]

Buffel always got injured on international duty