Philippe Clement has spent the international break putting most of his players through their paces as Rangers look to bounce back from their Old Firm defeat when they make the trip to face Dundee United this weekend.

The Belgian was without a handful of international stars, however. Here, the Rangers Review looks at how those capped players have fared at home and abroad after seeing their domestic form rewarded with country recognition.

John Souttar and Connor Barron – Scotland

Souttar has been a regular in Steve Clarke’s squads in recent times but didn’t make the final cut for the European Championship in the summer. The defender was called up for the Nations League fixtures with Poland and Portugal but didn’t get off the bench as Scotland suffered two late defeats. Grant Hanley and Scott McKenna started ahead of him in both matches.

Midfielder Barron did not see any action, either. The summer recruit was initially overlooked for the squad but received his first call-up after a couple of withdrawals. Barron had been a mainstay for the Under-21s and boss Scot Gemmill was pleased to see the Rangers star and left-back Josh Doig rewarded with a promotion.

Barron was a late call-up to Steve Clarke's squad (Image: Craig Williamson - SNS Group)

“It’s definitely positive,” Gemmill said. “That’s why this team exists, to develop young players. It’s brilliant for the players and I view it that it shows the players have been doing well, not only for us but at their clubs as well. I definitely see it as a positive.

“We’re all football people and we know how it works. Young players get their opportunity whether it’s through a first-team player being injured, suspended or ill, and then it’s up to them to take the opportunity.

“It’s an unbelievable opportunity for them to be involved, and now they have to go and confirm their talent. We think they’ve got great potential and now they have to go and take their opportunity if they get it.”

Ross McCausland – Northern Ireland

The forward earned his first appearance at Windsor Park as he came off the bench for the closing stages of the win over Luxembourg last week. It was an occasion that McCausland almost marked with a goal as he was denied twice in injury time.

McCausland was again named on the bench for the trip to Bulgaria on Sunday. Northern Ireland slipped to a 1-0 defeat in Group 3. The 21-year-old got the final seven minutes in Plovdiv.

“We are disappointed,” McCausland said. “Coming off the back of a strong performance against Luxemburg we are disappointed not to at least get a point with the openings we had to equalise in the game. Overall we are a bit frustrated.

“After the first 23, 24 minutes we started to come into the game. I think all the boys could agree up to then it was a poor performance giving the ball away too easily and we didn’t have many chances. Overall it wasn’t good enough in the first 20 to 25 minutes because they overpowered us a little bit but then we came back into it.”

Vaclav Cerny – Czech Republic

Cerny has made an instant impression at Ibrox but it wasn’t enough to earn him a start for the Nations League trip to face Georgia. The Czechs crashed to a surprising 4-1 defeat.

Cerny watched the entire match from the sidelines as boss Ivan Hasek overlooked him and fielded Lukas Provod and Tomas Cvancara behind striker Patrik Schick. It capped a disappointing few days for Cerny on the back of his Old Firm debut.

“We didn't do well at all, they outclassed us in everything,” Cerny said of the defeat at Parkhead. “Now we have to catch them at any cost, that's our main goal. I haven't seen such a rivalry for a long time. Of course, I never played for Sparta Prague or Slavia Prague in their derby. But compared with our main derby it is far bigger and more brutal."

The Czechs were also in action on Tuesday evening against Ukraine with Cerny starting on the right and providing an assist for his side's second goal in their 3-2 win.

Nedim Bajrami – Albania

The last of Clement’s summer recruits caught the eye in the Nations League and came in for high praise from boss Sylvinho. Bajrami started on the left and helped Albania to an impressive 2-1 victory over Ukraine in Prague.

"I thought the performance from Nedim Bajrami against Ukraine was outstanding,” Sylvinho said. "He is clearly a big talent.

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"We were very satisfied with Bajrami's performance, he can play in many roles for us. I have noticed that his all-round game has improved. He can do a lot with the ball.

"He helped us produce a really excellent result against a huge nation like Ukraine. We continue to improve and I think that was one of our best results in recent years."

Bajrami was back in action last night as Georgia made the trip to Tirana. Starting at No.10, as opposed to on the left-wing, Bajrami's side fell to a 1-0 defeat thanks to a Giorgi Kochorashvili goal 20 minutes from time.

Ianis Hagi – Romania

The contract stand-off at Ibrox has not counted against Hagi at international level. After appearing for Romania at the Euros in the summer, he retained his place for the fixtures with Kosovo and Lithuania.

Hagi was given just seven minutes in the 3-0 win over Kosovo last week. In the second match, he replaced Dennis Man for the final 20 minutes. Hagi won a late penalty with a drive into the area from the right channel. After he was fouled, Razvan Marin converted from the spot to put the seal on a 3-1 victory in Bucharest.

"It's all down to me, I know what I've been through for the last six weeks,” Hagi said. "I did the training with the second team, I did the physical training. The Romania coach knows how much I pushed myself to be present here. This is my passion.

Hagi has been frozen out of the first-team at Ibrox (Image: Image: Eurasia Sport Images)

"I'm going back to Rangers. I have one year left on my contract there. I gave two public messages, everyone knows them. I love the club, I'm ready to fight for the fans, for what that huge club means in Europe. I'm there, I'm back, I'm fighting for the coach, for the team. They know who I am as a person, as a footballer.”

Mohamed Diomande – Ivory Coast

The midfielder committed himself to the Ivory Coast in recent weeks after having the choice to represent the nation of his birth or Ghana. Diomande was named on the bench for the African Cup of Nations qualifier with Zambia on Friday and didn’t make an appearance. Jean-Philippe Krasso scored twice late on to give the hosts the win.

The Group F leaders were also in action on Tuesday night as they made the trip to face Chad. Diomande came on for the final 15 minutes of his side's 2-0 win.