International breaks mid-season are never the most exciting time for die hard football fans who follow their clubs week-in, week-out. Often seen as a distraction, especially when friendlies are involved, many supporters are left twiddling their thumbs when the weekend without their teams rolls around.
It can be disruptive too, especially for teams in good form who are hitting their stride. For teams out of form it can be a period of unwanted reflection and navel gazing that can sink confidence even lower.
For Rangers though, the current international break has come an absolutely perfect time for the club and their new manager Pedro Caixinha. Having been in the job for just two weeks, time is precious for the Portuguese in the midst of an important few months for the club.
Here are THREE reasons why this particular international weekend is a godsend for Rangers as they look to revive a stuttering top flight campaign.
Caixinha gets time on the training pitch
Despite managing to guide Rangers to a win against Hamilton, Pedro Caixinha’s greatest tests this season still lie ahead, with two massive matches in April against Aberdeen and Celtic to contend with.
He needs his side well drilled and organised when going up against competitive opposition like that and will likely find other teams a much different prospect compared to struggling Accies.
This fortnight on the training pitch will do wonders for the team, for his relationship with the team and if all goes to plan then their performances on the pitch too.
Caixinha also gets more time to get to grips with who he can trust in match situations and who might be a hidden gem in the Rangers squad that he can tap into.
All that would have been made more difficult had Rangers had matches this weekend and mid-week but as it is, supporters can expect to see some obvious benefits of his reign in short order.
Key players get a big rest ahead of season climax
While Rangers do have some players away on international duty, the majority of the squad have not been called upon by their countries to play. Key players like James Tavernier, Clint Hill, Emerson Hyndman and Martyn Waghorn all get a decent rest to prepare themselves for their key tasks in the tail-end of the season.
It’s going to be a fast and frantic few months at Ibrox, especially if they are to haul in Aberdeen in second and get themselves to a second successive Scottish Cup Final. It’s the perfect chance for them to recharge some energy, work on their fitness and go at the end of the season full tilt.
This should be one international break that Rangers cheer rather than bemoan.
Plenty of time to appoint the right man
Central to Pedro Caixinha’s plans for Rangers includes appointing a coach that can help him with life at Ibrox and Auchenhowie. He was reported to have interviewed candidates this week and potential appointments include Barry Ferguson and Peter Lovenkrands.
It’s clear the club are looking at getting in someone who can instil a bit of the Rangers spirit into Caixinha’s reign with the new man experiencing his first taste of Scottish football.
This international break gives him a bit of breathing room to think about his ideal choice to work alongside without the pressure of games to think about. This is a key appointment for the short-term and long-term future of the club and getting in the wrong man could be costly.
Rangers don’t play against until April 1st against Motherwell, giving him bags of time to get someone in and get them working on the training pitch.
