By Andrew Dickson

PEDRO MENDES has been handed a massive boost ahead of Sunday's Old Firm derby with a recall to the Portugal squad.

The midfielder is one of 18 Rangers players who have been called up on international duty next week.

Many of those selected were expected to join up with their national associations for World Cup qualifiers, African Nations matches, youth games and friendlies.

But Mendes wasn't anticipating a summons after winning his last cap for his country more than five and a half years ago against Italy.

His early form at Ibrox following his move from Portsmouth appears to have found favour with new Portugal manager Carlos Queiroz.

And the former Manchester United assistant manager has selected him for matches with Malta and Denmark in the coming days.

The staggering tally of players who will be away from Murray Park next week is largely down to the number who will be in Scotland's squad.

Allan McGregor, David Weir, Kevin Thomson, Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller have all been picked for meetings with Macedonia and Iceland.

Kyle Lafferty and Steven Davis will also be on their travels for Northern Ireland's games against Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

DaMarcus Beasley and Maurice Edu will play for the United States of America as they visit Cuba for the very first time.

And Madjid Bougherra and Brahim Hemdani will team up for Algeria in their home African Nations Cup preliminary match against Senegal.

Sasa Papac is in Bosnia-Herzegovina's squad to face European champions Spain and Estonia and Andrius Velicka will take on Romania and Austria with Lithuania.

In addition, four Light Blues youngsters have been asked to appear in selected age group matches around Europe.

Steven Lennon, currently on loan at Partick Thistle, is in Scotland's under-21 squad for UEFA Championship qualifiers against Slovakia and Denmark.

In the same competition, Giorgos Efrem will represent Cyprus against Belgium and Andrew Little will play for Northern Ireland against Germany.

Arturs Vaiculis, Rangers' under-19 goalkeeper, completes the jet-setting pack when he joins Latvia for two friendlies with Belarus at that level.