MOST footballers who are not involved with their national team welcome an international break.

The time off gives them the chance to recover from niggling injuries and rest weary limbs during a long, hard season.

But for Cammy Bell and his fellow new recruits at Rangers, this round of World Cup qualifiers have come at exactly the wrong time.

The SFA signing ban that had prevented more than two trialists from appearing for the Ibrox club has now expired.

As of September 1, Light Blues manager Ally McCoist was free to field all of his summer acquisitions in competitive matches.

Having sat on the sidelines for weeks, desperate to be involved, itching to show what he can do, it is simply another weekend without football for the keeper.

"No doubt about it, it has been a pretty unusual situation to be in," the former Kilmarnock shotstopper admitted.

"I obviously knew what the situation would be when I agreed to join the club in the summer, but it has been difficult.

"I have been at all the games supporting the lads who are playing and I have been pleased for them when they have done well and won.

"But it has still been strange. To be honest, it has been the most unusual position I have been in during my career.

"It was great to get back out on the park in the league game against East Fife. Hopefully, I will be part of the manager's plans from now on."

Bell showed why manager McCoist was so keen to bring him to Rangers with a succession of fine performances in pre-season.

The 26-year-old was involved in friendly matches up in the Highlands, down in England and over in Germany before the 2013/14 campaign got underway.

And he is keen to replicate that form in SPFL League One, Ramsdens Cup and Scottish Cup in the months ahead if he is given the nod.

He reflected: "I am sure things will get back to normal now the manager can choose whoever he wants to play.

"I enjoyed being a part of things in the East Fife match and I would like to think I will be involved in the team in the games we have coming up.

"Scott Gallacher, who has played in most of the games, has done superbly during his time in the team. He showed what a good player he is.

"It is good to have competition for places. It ensures that standards stay high. We all know that somebody is there waiting to take our place in the team if our form dips.

"But I knew when I joined Rangers that I wouldn't just automatically waltz into the side. It is a massive club and you have to expect competition for places here.

"But I am not daunted by that prospect. Hopefully, if anything, it will bring out the best in me. Time will tell I suppose.

"I have been working really hard in training to make sure that when I do get my chance in the first team I am fit and sharp and can play my part in things."

Bell, who was capped by Scotland back in 2010, was one of no fewer than eight new additions to the Rangers squad in the summer. Free agents Nicky Clark, Jon Daly, Ricky Foster, Nicky Law, Bilel Mohsni, Arnold Peralta and Stevie Smith have all joined the Third Division champions.

However, the Annan-born player has revealed how the new signings have slotted quickly into life at the Glasgow giants.

He said: "Everybody in the squad gets on really well together. Going away on tour in the summer definitely helped us all to bond.

"I think that togetherness has been reflected in our performances out on the park this season. We have done well both defensively and going forward.

"We have got a lot of guys in the team who can score goals. They have come from all areas of the park. But Nicky Clark, Jon Daly, Lee McCulloch and others know where the back of the net is.

"I have been pleased to see both Jon and Nicky getting their names on the scoresheet in the recent matches that we have played. They have both deserved it given how hard they have been working.

"It is good to have that sort of calibre of player to face in training. It means I have to perform to a high level and that in turn will help me in the games that I play."