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:
9. Bailey Rice - Scotland under-19s
The talented teenage midfielder is another who has been included in the under-19s squad for the back-to-back friendly games with Hungary on 10 and 13 October. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
10. Vaclav Cerny - Czechia
Was included in the Czechia squad for the Nations League double-header against Albania and Ukraine on the 11 and 14 October respectively following his match-winning performance in Rangers' 2-0 win over St Johnstone. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group
11. John Souttar - Scotland
Steve Clarke has a number of injury concerns in defence, meaning Souttar could return to the Scotland starting XI for the Nations League games against Croatia and Portugal on 12 and 15 of October. | SNS Group Photo: SNS Group