Despite their strong league form, Rangers’ 2-0 win over St Johnstone at Ibrox last weekend was much needed.
Philippe Clement’s side were left battered and bruised by a far superior Lyon team just days before in the Europa League, as the French giants ran out 4-1 winners at Ibrox. A cleansing of the palate was required to rid of them of the taste of defeat, and Vaclav Cerny’s timely double helped them seal a comfortable win in Govan.
Still five points adrift of both Celtic and Aberdeen, the international break will now allow the bulk of the Gers squad to focus their minds on reducing the points the deficit ahead of a trio of big games against Kilmarnock, St Mirren and - most prominently - a visit to Pittodrie on October 30.
However, there are some Rangers players that have the small matter of the Nations League before that, with a number of players on international duty this week.
Want to know who is representing their countries and when they’re playing this week? Here is the full list of every Rangers player away on international duty this week, who they play and when they are playing:
5. Ross McCausland - Northern Ireland
The young winger will look to add to his four Northern Ireland caps in the Nations League games against Belarus and Bulgaria. The games are set to be played on the 12 and 15 October respectively. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
6. Leyton Grant - Scotland under-19s
The 18-year-old has been named in Neil MacFarlane's squad for the back-to-back friendly games with Hungary on 10 and 13 October. | SNS Group Photo: Ross MacDonald - SNS Group
7. Ianis Hagi - Romania
Sent off on his return to action with Rangers, the Romanian will be happy to build up his match fitness after being included in the squad for the Nations League fixtures against Cyprus (12 October) and Lithuania (15 October). | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
8. Connor Barron - Scotland under-21s
Like Leon King and Lewis Budinauckas, the Rangers midfielder will form part of Scotland under-21s squad for the crunch games against Belgium and Kazakhstan. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group