Lee sets his sights on the World Cup
LEE HODSON admits he’s happy to be Rangers’ Mr Versatile – if it helps him make the World Cup finals.
The 25-year-old has deputised for both right-back James Tavernier and, more recently, Ibrox skipper Lee Wallace on the left.
While he’d love to be a regular starter, the ability to play on both flanks was probably the reason he went to Euro 2016 with Northern Ireland.
He said: “It always helps that I can play on either side of the defence.
“My international manager, Michael O’Neill, knows that and I think that is maybe one of the reasons I went to the Euros because Chris Brunt got a nasty injury.
“You never want to see a player pick up an injury like that, but Michael knew I could cover at left-back if that was needed.
“I can give them something to think about.”
Scotland have an outside chance of making a play-off for Russia 2018, but Hodson and the Northern Ireland boys are much better placed.
They’re currently second to Germany in Group C, four points ahead of the Czech Republic.
Hodson went on: “We have two big games coming up next month against San Marino away and the Czech Republic at home.
“The Czech Republic also play Germany, so if we win those two we are near enough guaranteed a playoff place.
“We had a great Euros campaign and that has carried on. We are full of confidence right now.
“If we make the playoffs, then we know that any team can beat anyone else.
“Michael O’Neill has given us a real confidence and we are all really close.
“When we go away, we look forward to meeting up and getting together.
“We might not see one another for four or five months, but we’re so close-knit that when we get back on that training pitch it’s so enjoyable.”
Hodson reveals that O’Neill takes a pragmatic approach to players who are maybe toiling to get regular games at club level.
He hopes that won’t be him, but knowing the manager values continuity is a comfort.
The former Watford and MK Dons player will take special steps to stay sharp if needed.
He explained: “Michael hasn’t told me I need to play a certain number of games to stay in the squad.
“Obviously, he would like his players to be playing week in, week out, to ensure they are match fit. But it’s up to us as players to make sure we are keeping ourselves fit if we aren’t playing every week.
“You need to keep yourself in condition by working with fitness coaches.
“I will keep my head down and try to get as much game time as possible here at Rangers.”