The international breaks this season have seen the arrival of the successful Nations League, but clubs have been robbed of their momentum.
Yes, we’re now into the THIRD international break of the season and it’s only November. Just when supporters couldn’t get any more fed up with them, we’re hit with another.
Nobody can deny the Nations League has been a decent tournament so far. Scotland are right in the mix to try and top their group and get to a playoff. It gives smaller nations like ourselves a bigger chance of qualifying for international tournaments.
In that sense, it’s been great, but clubs aren’t getting a fair crack at the whip here. Too often, football teams around Europe are having their best players taken from them just when they’re building a bit of momentum.
Rangers, for example, are coming into a vital period of the season that will make or break them. After stringing together back-to-back domestic victories before the break, this was the last thing Steven Gerrard needed.
His best players have been taken from him such as Glenn Middleton and Alfredo Morelos for the time being. Ironically, however, Rangers are one of the lucky ones. Other clubs around Europe have a lot more of their top talent taken from them during these breaks, with the risk of injury extremely high.
Middleton a prime example
Gerrard only last weekend brought up the possibility of Middleton being burnt out. The youngster is with Scotland under-19s for three big international matches over the course of the next week.
Middleton featured in the opening win against Wales, with games against San Marino and Sweden to come. The importance of these matches can’t be underestimated given that they’re Euro 2019 qualifiers.
Rangers can’t afford to have the likes of Middleton tiring with such a hectic Winter schedule ahead of them. Fortunately for Gers, most of their players can rest after not being selected for their national sides on this occasion.
In the future, however, if Rangers are where they want to be, these will be extremely disruptive. Momentum will be stripped away from them whilst the prospect of injuries will increase.
Three breaks before Christmas is far too many for clubs. It’s almost as if international football is being stopped for club football these days.
The Nations League has been a huge success, but hopefully dates can be changed in the future. At the moment, it’s not ideal for Rangers or anyone to keep stopping their programs.
For now, all the best to each side in the United Kingdom ahead of their respective matches. Here’s hoping we don’t have to keep saying that so frequently in the future.
