Rangers manager Ally McCoist has insisted that sending players away on international duty is beneficial to the club.

Lee Wallace, Dean Shiels and Arnold Peralta all represented their countries in recent World Cup qualifiers, and their coach believes that this will help attract more stars to Ibrox.

"I've always been a fan of our players being represented at international level and that will always remain the case," he told Rangers TV.

"I'm a firm believer that if you're playing well at your club, you should be recognised by your international team."

He added: "It's really important that we have players involved at that level. I'm really keen for that to happen and it gives the players a boost. It gives the team a boost as well and when they are involved there it will encourage other players to come to the club."

Andy Little was in contention for a place in the Northern Ireland squad, but picked up an injury against Berwick Rangers last month.