Rangers striker Kemar Roofe makes international debut but fitness fears over defenders and Ianis Hagi stars

Kemar Roofe made his international debut for Jamaica against Panama, alongside West Ham forward Mihail Antonio.
Kemar Roofe's Rangers form has earned international recognition. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)Kemar Roofe's Rangers form has earned international recognition. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)
Kemar Roofe's Rangers form has earned international recognition. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)

However the CONCACAF qualifier for next year’s World Cup did not go to plan as the ‘Reggae Boyz’ found themselves 2-0 down at half-time and fell 3-0 at the national stadium Independence Park.

While Rangers team-mate Nathan Patterson was on the winning side, there are worries over the Ibrox defender and Filip Helander with the Scottish right-back ruled out of Tuesday’s qualifier with Austria.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

No reason has been given for Patterson’s withdrawal from Steve Clarke’s squad, and the status of Helander is also unknown.

Sweden boss Janne Andersson was non-committal when discussing the centre-back who scored the winner against Celtic in last month’s Old Firm derby and followed that up with an outstanding disaplay in his international team's win over Spain.

With Sweden due to face Greece on Wednesday, Andersson said: "It's too early to say. We can't take it for granted [that Helander will be fit to play].

“He is running individually in the gym. Some players have been given an adapted training load and will step up gradually.”

Glen Kamara also sat out of Finland’s weekend win over Kazakhstan.

Sweden's goalkeeper Robin Olsen, Sweden's defender Filip Helander and Sweden's defender Victor Lindelof (R) embrace after their 2-1 win in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification Group B football match between Sweden and Spain.  (Photo by JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images)Sweden's goalkeeper Robin Olsen, Sweden's defender Filip Helander and Sweden's defender Victor Lindelof (R) embrace after their 2-1 win in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification Group B football match between Sweden and Spain.  (Photo by JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images)
Sweden's goalkeeper Robin Olsen, Sweden's defender Filip Helander and Sweden's defender Victor Lindelof (R) embrace after their 2-1 win in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification Group B football match between Sweden and Spain. (Photo by JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images)

There was, however, better news for Ianis Hagi on his international endeavours with Romania. The playmaker sent over a sumptuous cross which was powered home by Cristian Manea’s powerful first-half header in a 2-0 win over Liechtenstein where the Rangers man regularly had the well-spread home support on their feet with his trickery, and then delighted a young supporter with his match-worn jersey after the match.

Get a year of unlimited access to all The Scotsman's sport coverage without the need for a full subscription. Expert analysis of the biggest games, exclusive interviews, live blogs, transfer news and 70 per cent fewer ads on Scotsman.com - all for less than £1 a week. Subscribe to us today