Scotland U21s: Stark hopeful Rangers trio can shake off club concerns

SCOTLAND Under-21 manager Billy Stark hopes the build-up to tomorrow’s key qualifier against the Netherlands will prove positive distraction for the Rangers players in his squad.

Ross Perry and Gregg Wylde, who both featured in Rangers’ 4-1 win at Inverness on Sunday, have reported to the squad along with defender Darren Cole, who is on loan at Partick Thistle from Ibrox. The players are preparing for the Uefa under-21 qualifier at St Mirren Park amid uncertainty over their futures as administrators continue to carry out their review of staffing costs at their club, with redundancies anticipated among the playing squad.

Stark said: “I think it does give them a wee respite away from the environment at Rangers at the moment. There is not a lot I can add. Ally McCoist is doing that superbly well.

“He is speaking to them as individuals and a group and squeezing the very best out of them.

“You’re hoping that when they come with us it’s a wee bit of freshness about them and they can hopefully concentrate our objectives on Wednesday night and we can get the best out of them.”

Rangers director of football Gordon Smith and chief operating officer Ali Russell were both told last week they would be losing their jobs but administrators have given no clear indication of when any other decisions will be made.

“I know it’s an ongoing situation at the club and who knows what sort of decisions can be made before our game,” Stark added.

“I don’t think there is any merit in figuring out what you would do if this or that happens.

“The Rangers boys are part of our group and I’m sure the rest of the group will help the Rangers boys as well.

“Looking at them and trying to measure their mood, they got a great lift from the result at Inverness on Sunday and to me they look fine. And I hope it stays that way.”

Meanwhile, strikers Johnny Russell and Jordan Rhodes are undergoing treatment ahead of the game as Scotland look to repeat their shock away win against the group leaders last November. Prolific Huddersfield striker Rhodes, who has scored six goals in as many under-21 internationals, sat out training yesterday morning with a dead leg, while Dundee United striker Russell is bidding to shake off the same problem.

Stark said: “We’ve got a couple of, maybe concerns is too strong a word, a couple of dead legs in Jordan Rhodes and Johnny Russell.

“Johnny managed to train this morning. Jordan is not quite there in terms of being able to train yet but hopefully he’ll be okay.”

Stark earlier called up Inverness full-back Graeme Shinnie after Celtic player Lewis Toshney pulled out with the groin injury that forced him out of loan club Kilmarnock’s 3-1 weekend defeat by Hibs at Rugby Park.