by
As the Indian striking duo of Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua were
eased into the cold and breezy conditions in Milngavie, Glasgow, Kenny
McDowall — assistant coach of Rangers FC — seemed a bit diffident about their selection to the club. The two hopefuls who reached on Saturday went directly to a training session with the main team, preparing for their Sunday’s Scottish League match against Kilmarnock.
Rangers FC will be playing a friendly match in Hamburg on Tuesday and the manager would have ideally wanted Jeje and Chhetri to be a part of the side but their visas could not be cleared.
“The Indian lads are not travelling to Hamburg — they are going to stay here. We didn’t get a visa for them to play so they will play a practice match here,” he said.
He added that both parties would be better served if the trials were held for longer than the decided three days. “We only got a brief look at them for the first time in a training session on Saturday morning. It was before our game on Sunday so it was only a light session and not ideal. It wasn’t easy for them in strong winds but the boys did fine. Maybe the best thing would be to extend trials but I’m not sure how that would be with their clubs. It would be worth it if we can have a look at them in better conditions,” said McDowall.
