With a welcome break for Steven Gerrard underway, we take a look at three Rangers stars who must perform for their international futures.
Rangers have an incredible EIGHT players on international duty this weekend. It’s an incredible rise and testament to the job Gerrard has done in Govan so far.
A mixture of new signings as well as players already at the club are away with their respective nations.
Here, we take a look at the three who simply need to perform this time around to become permanent parts of their national sides:
BORNA BARISIC (Croatia)
There’s a lot to love about Borna Barisic. The big Croatian who signed from NK Osijek has been a standout for supporters so far.
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His terrific form in his early spell so far at Ibrox has provided him with a golden opportunity. Croatia aren’t just Croatia these days – they’re the World Cup finalists.
Rangers now find themselves with a member of the World Cup finalists’ squad in their ranks. As positive as that is, Barisic needs to make an impression. Otherwise, he’ll quickly be shipped out and a replacement found immediately.
At a side as big as Croatia, you don’t get many more chances. Barisic needs to show that he can stick it with his national side, and playing for Rangers whilst doing so is a big boost for the club.
It’s a key stage in his development at this stage, and the big man simply has to take it.
ALFREDO MORELOS (Colombia)
You can’t help but just feel made up for Alfredo Morelos.
The young Colombian has had his temperament problems in the past. But his performances so far this season have fully merited his first ever call-up to the Colombian national side.
He now rubs shoulders with the likes of Davinson Sanchez and Juan Cuadrado. In order for him to stay there in the future, he needs to do several things.
Keeping the head is the first one. Morelos’ temperament is quite simply ridiculous. Already, the youngster has two red cards to his name this season. One for his national side and he won’t be back very soon.
Mainly, however, he needs to bag a goal. For international strikers, there’s no better way to make your mark than by scoring for your country. A huge double-header against Venezuela and Argentina gives him the chance to make a huge mark.
Failure to do so, and the likes of James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao will be taking his place easily.
RYAN JACK (Scotland)
This has been long overdue.
Ryan Jack’s first and only appearance for Scotland came in a friendly against Holland back in 2017. You can’t read anything into it, however. Many of the players on that night were experimental, and Jack didn’t particularly leave his mark.
With an injury to Tom Cairney ruling him out, Jack has been given a second bite at the cherry.
Scotland are packed with midfield talent at the moment. Stuart Armstrong, Cairney, and Callum McGregor are all in there. If Jack wants to make a place his own, he’ll need to put in a starring role.
Granted, it could be the case that Alex McLeish doesn’t select the Rangers enforcer against Belgium or Albania. But the relatively new Scotland manager has been open to giving players a chance in recent games.
The likes of Scott McKenna and Jack Hendry have been given caps for Scotland under McLeish. There’s no reason Jack shouldn’t either.
But if he does, he simply has to take it given the raft of talent at his disposal.