Rangers duo Lewis Mayo and Glenn Middleton play for the Scotland U21s in a 2-2 draw with Kazakhstan as Celtic first-teamer Stephen Welsh picks up an injury.
The Ibrox loan pair are out at Partick Thistle and St Johnstone respectively and started in the challenging clash all the way in Almaty.
And Scotland would suffer late heartbreak as Kazakhstan pounced on a goalkeeper error to snatch a point amid terrible conditions in the Kazakh capital.
What’s more, Scotland had thrown away a two goal lead after Ross Graham and Tom Clayton had put the young side in control.
Both goals conceded by the Scotland U21s also came from individual errors, as Kazakhstan pulled one back through a penalty whilst a goalkeeping error was punished for the leveller.
The result all but ends the Scotland U21s hopes of reaching the European Championships after the nation was defeated 2-0 by Turkey earlier in the international break.
Rangers pair endure Scotland U21s European Championships heartbreak
This comes as a blow for Rangers duo Lewis Mayo and Glenn Middleton, who have endured up-and-down spells at their respective loan clubs.
Mayo’s Partick Thistle remain in the hunt for promotion from the Championship, with the defender playing 31 times for the club this season.
Glenn Middleton’s St Johnstone are fighting for their lives in the Scottish Premiership after a disastrous campaign following the club’s cup double last season.
The winger has made 28 appearances for the club this campaign.
The Scotland U21s clash also included an injury to first-team Celtic defender Stephen Welsh ahead of the Parkhead club’s visit to Rangers this weekend.
Rangers are set to host their Old Firm rivals in a must-win Scottish Premiership clash with Stephen Welsh now a major doubt after being forced off just minutes after the restart in Kazakhstan.
The 21-year-old centre-back may not have been a shoo-in to start but it impacts Celtic’s options heading into the match.
Meanwhile, contrary to reports, Rangers are still well in the hunt to secure the signing of a young goalscoring phenom.
