THE fortunes of our national teams during this latest break in the domestic calendar are unlikely to resonate too strongly with fans of either half of the Old Firm.

At Ibrox, boardroom battles still dominate the agenda, even in the midst of a superb start to the League One campaign for Ally McCoist's side.

Across the city, Celtic have their sights firmly set on another top-flight title, while they will soon return to Champions League action to do battle with the best European football has to offer.

Those Old Firm fans who did venture out to Paisley last night would have been encouraged by the youngsters they hope will one day star in the Rangers or Celtic first teams, though.

As would Scotland senior boss Gordon Strachan, as he and his players took a break from their preparations for Tuesday's clash with Croatia at Hampden to watch the next crop of Dark Blues hopefuls get their European Championship qualification campaign back on track with a 2-1 win over Slovakia at the same time as group favourites Holland were winning 6-0 in Georgia.

The goals that effectively won the game came in quick succession in the first half, Dundee United's Stuart Armstrong rounding off a neat move with a terrific finish from the edge of the area and St Johnstone's Stevie May continuing his fine run of form with a powerful effort.

Thomas Malec's reply set up a nervy finish for the hosts but they survived the second-half pressure to head into their meeting with Georgia on Monday on the back of a much-needed victory.

Of the squad that Stark selected for this crucial double-header, four players - Stuart Findlay, Dylan McGeouch, Callum McGregor and John Herron, who had to settle for a place on the bench - have emerged through the Celtic ranks at Lennoxtown, while Lewis Macleod was the only Rangers representative.

The Light Blues midfielder has the highest profile of the Old Firm kids following a series of eye-catching displays and stunning goals in recent months.

He made the step up into the international arena last night and again showed why he is so highly rated.

After scoring a wonderful overhead kick in the victory over Ayr United last Sunday, there was nothing spectacular from the Gers kid this time around. Instead, his performance was neat and tidy, effective and efficient as he partnered Armstong in the middle of the park.

While Macleod has plenty of first-team football to look forward to in the coming months, the prospects for his Celtic counterparts are somewhat different.

Defender Findlay has yet to make the breakthrough into Neil Lennon's plans, but has done enough to merit a place in Stark's squad by virtue of his performances for the Hoops' second string.

He joined Hearts' Jordan McGhee to form a youthful central partnership but justified his manager's faith in him with a solid display.

As did his Parkhead team-mate McGregor at the other end of the field. The striker is on loan at English League One side Notts County and, while he couldn't add to his six-goal tally at domestic level, he showed up well on his Under-21 bow.

The other Celt to star, McGeouch, has regularly impressed on this stage but has yet to hold down a regular place for the Hoops. He starred once again at St Mirren Park, especially in the first half as he popped up in dangerous areas and looked to create chances from wide or central areas, but faces fierce competition for a start at Celtic.

The Old Firm kids proved all right on the night. However, only time will tell if more of them will get the chance to showcase their talents to their club's fans on the big stage.