Rangers loan star could have key role in Scotland’s fate as Ronaldo leaves camp

CONTROVERSIAL former Rangers loan star Fabio Silva is set to be handed a major role in Scotland’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout phase of the Nations League.

Steve Clarke’s men need to win in Poland in Monday and hope that Roberto Martinez’s Portugal side do them a favour by beating Croatia on the same night.

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Throw in a three-goal swing in the two matches and that will be enough for Scotland to march on in the competition.

The bad news for the Scots is that Cristiano Ronaldo tops the list of Portugal stars who are returning to their clubs in the wake of last night’s 5-1 triumph over Poland.

They’re already secure of top spot from Nations League Group A1.

It’s been reported that the Saudi-based superstar has been given the green light to leave the camp, along with Premiership stars Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto and Bernardo Silva.

Instead, former Rangers man Fabio Silva – now playing his football out at Las Palmas in La Liga – and Geovany Quenda come in, and Scotland fans will be hoping for something more spectacular than often spotted during his six-month loan spell at the Ibrox men.

The 22-year-old has three goals in nine games for his latest loan club, where he is a team-mate of Oliver McBurnie and Scott McKenna.

Silva arrived with much fanfare but was unable to help the Ibrox men to the league title – or the Scottish Cup.

He said afterwards that he wouldn’t change anything about his time at the club.

He said: “I don’t have regrets in life.

“Everything happens for a reason. I enjoyed playing at Rangers.

“I feel more complete after playing in a few different positions.

“I wouldn’t change anything. It was a new country with new teammates. Rangers are a big team. I liked it.”

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