Scotland boss Steve Clarke might not be the most popular man amongst the Rangers support but that didn’t stop Gers manager Steven Gerrard showing him “respect” against Hamilton.
The Rangers boss subbed off influential midfielder Ryan Jack at half-time to keep him as fresh as possible ahead of the nation’s crunch playoff tie in Serbia in the week.
Granted, Rangers were 4-0 up at the time.
Gerrard also revealed that he rested a fully-fit Steven Davis for the visit of Accies in order to keep him fresh for Northern Ireland’s equivalent playoff against Slovakia in Belfast as a mark of respect for Ian Baraclough’s side.
The fact Rangers won 8-0 suggests the veteran midfielder wasn’t missed too much in a swashbuckling Gers performance on Remembrance Sunday.
“We’ve got everyone fit at the moment which is important,” said Gerrard [RangersTV].
“They’re off on internationals now we wish them good luck but we need them to stay healthy.
“We’ve tried to respect international games through the week.
“Today leaving Steven Davis out because he’s fully fit and taking Jacko off at half-time, we’ve tried to show respect there.”
Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack is in the Scotland national team squad for the trip to Serbia during an international break which also includes UEFA Nations League matches against Slovakia and Israel.
Jon McLaughlin played 90 minutes in the 8-0 win over Hamilton and is also in the Scotland squad.
Northern Ireland also face a hectic schedule over the next fortnight as they aim to make EURO 2020 in the Playoff against Slovakia and also face Nations League tests against Austria and Romania.
Gerrard will be hoping respect is a sentiment which is echoed by all the national teams as Rangers players head off across the planet for the next fortnight.
