- The second round of the UEFA World Cup qualifying was played out on Thursday
- Three Rangers players had their World Cup hopes ended
- Danny Rohl needs players with a spring in their step heading into the season split
Three Rangers players had heartbreaking nights on Thursday, as their World Cup playoff games ended in losses.
Bojan Miovski, Nedim Bajrami, and Rabbi Matondo will not be at the World Cup in the summer.
North Macedonia, Albania, and Wales all lost agonisingly, meaning we won’t see any of them in the final playoff game on Tuesday.
The games sum up how each of the three has played for the Gers season, either not featuring or playing poorly.
Danny Rohl would have been praying that the players could have gained some confidence to take back to Glasgow.
However, their confidence could be shattered ahead of the nail-biting title race at Ibrox.
Here’s how they all got on last night.
Nedim Bajrami (Albania)
After struggling for minutes in a Rangers jersey, Nedim Bajrami was given a surprise start for Albania last night.
It was the perfect opportunity to be the hero for his country and potentially stake his claim in a Rangers jersey.
Instead, Bajrami was dragged off in the 68th minute after a hugely unremarkable display.
When Albania was 1-0 ahead, Bajrami missed a glittering chance to put his country 2-0 ahead.
He completed just one of his three dribbles and made two progressive carries.
In the end, Bajrami’s crucial miss cost his country, eventually losing 2-1 and getting knocked out.
Bojan Miovski (North Macedonia)
Miovski had been his country’s go-to man in qualifying, but he watched from the bench against Denmark.
The striker played the last 26 minutes and didn’t manage to register a shot for his country.
He only touched the ball eight times and lost the ball twice.
The Gers striker has struggled for regular minutes in Scotland, and it cost him last night.
He’s been playing second fiddle to Ryan Naderi and Youssef Chermiti under Rohl.
Last night, he played behind FC Thun striker Elmin Rastoder.
Nevertheless, whichever striker they had gone with, it wouldn’t have made much of a difference.
North Macedonia was convincingly beaten by Denmark 4-0.
Rabbi Matondo (Wales)
Unsurprisingly, forgotten Rangers man Matondo didn’t feature for Wales last night against Bosnia.
Wales took a 1-0 lead thanks to Dan James scoring an outrageous goal in the 51st minute.
However, Edin Dzeko came up clutch for Bosnia, equalising in the dying embers of the game.
Matondo could have been a useful ploy off the bench for Wales, who were crying out for someone to win them the game.
A resolute Bosnia took Wales all the way to penalties and ended up winning after Brennan Johnson and Neco Williams missed their spot kicks.
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Rangers fans will be disappointed that none of the players could make an impact for their national sides.
All three could be gone in the summer, but it’s crucial for the whole squad to be confident and on song.
