Many Rangers stars have been away on international duty during this weeks break from domestic football.
After a stuttering start to the season, which has seen the club draw their first four Premiership matches under new head coach Russell Martin, it has been a chance for many to get minutes in the tank, with several putting in confidence boosting performances.
One such player has been Norwegian midfielder Thelo Aasgaard, who joined the Ibrox club from Luton Town during the summer window.
His national side defeated Moldova 11-1, a new record defeat for their opponents, with Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland netting five goals. However, the Rangers midfielder also took home a match ball of his own. Coming on as a substitute just after the hour mark for Felix Myhre, he netted four goals of his own in the thumping victory.
Nicolas Raskin also netted in Belgium’s 6-0 triumph over Kazakhstan, boosting his form ahead of crunch talks with Martin after a fallout seen him left out of the 0-0 Old Firm draw with Celtic just prior to the break.
Elsewhere, there were victories for Bojan Miovski, who’s North Macedonia side defeated minnows Lichtenstein, John Souttar’s Scotland, who defeated Belarus after a credible draw with Denmark over the break, with Liam Kelly also part of the squad without featuring.
Albania’s Nedim Bajrami was victorious as a starter as his side defeated both Gibraltar and Lativa 1-0 in their pair of World Cup qualifiers this month, with the attacking midfielder looking to prove Martin’s decision to leave him out of the European squad wrong.
Nasser Djiga travelled with the Burkina Faso national team, but did not feature in either their win over Djibouti or their draw with Mohammed Salah’s Egypt days later. However, his new defensive partner, Derek Cornelius netted his first Canada goal, as the upcoming World Cup hosts defeated Wales 1-0 in a warm up friendly match.
For Oliver Antman, the break was less pleasing, with his Finland side losing to Aasgaard’s Norway 1-0, before another defeat to Poland days later, with the right winger starting the defeat to the Poles.
Nicolas Raskin’s international display underlines why Rangers and Martin must mend rift
Rangers transfer roundup: August 2025
Why Rangers poor start isn’t terminal: Lessons from past title winners
At under 21 level, winger Findlay Curtis was with Scot Gemmill’s Scottish squad, but both of their opening Euro 2027 qualifiers to Czechia and Portugal ended in 2-0 defeats. The exciting prospect played former Gers youth player Dire Mebude through against the Iberian’s at Motherwell’s Fir Park, but his former teammate failed to beat the Portuguese keeper after being set up by the Ibrox wide man.
Brentford loanee Jayden Meghoma also started in England U20’s defeat to Italy, playing at full back as he looks set for an extended run in Martin’s side, ending the transfer window as the club’s only recognised first team left back.