The calendar works for Rangers as I spotted something in these players at the START of Benfica game - Kenny Miller

There are moments in a season when the international break comes at a bad time.

A team could be hitting form and firing on all cylinders – then all of a sudden it’s time to go away with the national sides and it halts the charge. But there are other times when the chance of a break or change of scenery for some can be a welcome relief. I do think this international fortnight has come at a good time for Rangers.

This is a chance for them to take a step back and pause for breath. More importantly they can give some players a rest and allow others a chance to come back from injury. It has been a pretty brutal run for Philippe Clement’s team and this short spell could be vital in terms of a physical – and mental – break. This has been an intense period and there have been some tough games, with the same players asked to go to the well time and again.

I thought Rangers looked a bit leggy against Benfica the other night – and not just at the end of the game. Even at the start I got the feeling playing every three days, with the demand to win every game, was starting to take its toll on some of the players.

There will be lads away on international duty who won’t get much of a rest – but even a change of environment can help after being in each other’s pockets for a month solid. For some it will be a welcome chance to get the feet up for a few days but the main question is can Gers get a few of their injured players back?

Clement will want as many of his men available, fit and firing for the big push to the line in the league and Scottish Cup. They’ve got work to do before the break though with Dundee and I’m sure they will be determined to bounce back from Benfica the other night. Rangers can take a lot of pride from their