As the Euros, Copas and Olympics to name but 3 show up on our doorstep, Ibrox Noise takes you through the Rangers men to watch this summer as the big sport gets underway:
Jon McLaughlin (Scotland, Euros):
Had a great season as McGregor’s number two, and earned his call up. He probably won’t play a minute of the competition, but he’s on standby anyway, and certainly won’t let his country down any more than he has his club.
Nathan Patterson (Scotland, Euros):
The stellar youngster has blown away his national competition in Stephen O’Donnell, and on pure ability should start every match, but we know Clarke will go for the safe senior option. Or will he? Patterson would become lucrative beyond words if at 19 he’s already played a senior major championships and impressed in them. The world is watching this outstanding RB who has the world at his feet.
Filip Helander (Sweden, Euros):
The outstanding but injury-troubled stopper is set to star for Sweden this summer, and while talk of his attracting interest down south won’t go away, he will just concentrate on his country and let everything else fall into place. Had an excellent season for Steven Gerrard’s men and has become a mainstay for his country now. Set to stand out.
Borna Barisic (Croatia, Euros):
The world class left back is one of the best bargains the SPL has seen for years, and this will be his first tournament for his country, having not truly broken into the NT till after Russia 2018. Indeed, he only won his 5th cap two years ago, something of a late developer, but he’s now their main LB. Will of course face Scotland and could find himself up against Nathan Patterson…
Glen Kamara (Finland, Euros):
Will star in Finland’s first-ever major championships appearance, the unglamorous country suddenly hitting a purple patch and making the Euros. Set to really excel because he probably wants to put himself in the shop window now, as well as wanting to do himself proud on such a stage. He should boss it out there.
Scott Arfield (Canada, Gold Cup):
We’re not sure if Scotty is going to this, but he possibly is, and it’s the main north American tournament. He will stand out as always for his Canadian buddies, albeit he’s got an injury at present – if he intends to go, we hope he makes it.
Ianis Hagi (Romania, Olympics):
A bit of controversy over the playmaker and choosing his country over his club re: CL qualifiers, but few would deny his quality. Sure the Olympics aren’t a marquee football tournament, but it’s still a gold medal. Rumours link him with a transfer out, and he may well be gone by the time the Olympics show up anyway.
Alfredo Morelos (Colombia, Copa America):
Was thrilled to get the call for his first major championships as Colombia head to Copa America; whether we’ve seen the last of him in a Rangers shirt we’ll see, but el-bufalo will be desperate to impress in this one, assuming it goes ahead. Got some strong rivals for the shirt in truth, and has only actually scored once in 5 caps, but this is his chance to be big.
Some big performances this summer will make Rangers’ men more valuable as well giving great confidence hopefully for a major assault on the CL.
We look forward to it all.