RANGERS boss Ally McCoist hopes his Ibrox ambassadors around the globe can attract more international stars to the club in the years ahead.

Several first-team players have been absent from Murray Park this week as they represented their nations.

Lee Wallace, Dean Shiels and Arnold Peralta were with the Scotland, Northern Ireland and Honduras squads respectively for World Cup qualifiers.

In addition, Lewis Macleod was with the Scottish under-21s in Holland and Fraser Aird was among those called into the under-19 pool.

McCoist is proud of his international contingent and said: "I've always been a fan of our players being represented at international level and that will always remain the case.

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

"That has certainly been the case and we had a couple of call-ups for Lee Wallace and Dean Shiels over the last few days.

"We're pleased they've been away getting international experience. Wee Gordon (Strachan) called up Lee and Michael O'Neil spoke to me about Dean then saw fit to bring him in.

"Arnold was away with Honduras as well and now we want them to come back very healthy and ready to go again.

"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."

When Rangers were operating in the top flight, they had a much higher percentage of players called up to various national sides.

McCoist admits playing in League One as they do these days makes for a less stressful break for him during international periods.

He told rangers.co.uk: "In comparison to two or three years ago, we've nothing like the number of players away as we had then so I hope that lessens the pressure on us at these times."