Ibrox-bound Jordan Jones helped Northern Ireland to victory with a superb substitute performance in Estonia on Saturday.
However, despite the three points, there was further disappointment for two Rangers players who have endured nightmare seasons.
Kyle Lafferty and Gareth McAuley.
Both players were named in the squad for this round of Euro 2020 qualifiers, but neither made it onto the pitch in Tallinn.
That’s a blow, especially as they’re both in need of moves away from Ibrox.
According to Press Association Sport
via FourFourTwo, Lafferty has been told he has no future at the club. A potential destination for the 6ft 4″ striker is AEL Limassol [Scottish Sun].
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Meanwhile, depending on the exact duration of his contract, Gareth McAuley could well already be a free agent.
He
signed on a one-year deal in September. Yet, given the club’s strange silence on all those out of contract, his exact current status is unknown.
The veteran’s brief Rangers stay won’t be extended, though. Injury ruined his stint and he last turned out for Gerrard at Cowdenbeath in January.
O’Neill leaves out two top servants
Both of these players have been near automatic picks for their country for a decade. With over 150 caps between them, they have been two of the most important cogs in Michael O’Neill’s revolution.
Yet, Liam Boyce, Conor Washington, and Josh Magennis were used ahead of Lafferty on Saturday. At the back, Jonny Evans and Craig Cathcart were selected over McAuley.
At a time when both players will have been hoping to put themselves in the shop window, their omission constitutes a big blow.
If they don’t get a run out against Belarus on Tuesday, it could make finding a move more difficult.
Of course, both players have pedigree at club and international level to fall back on. However, there must now be question marks over McAuley given his age and fitness struggles, while Lafferty has looked a shadow of his former self at times this season.
