Celtic star bags winner against Scotland's World Cup opponent as Parkhead pal has afternoon to forget
Ten Celtic stars have been selected for their countries over the international break
Celtic wingers had varying fortunes on international duty as Sebastian Tounekti scored his first ever goal for Tunisia while Yang Hyun-jun’s South Korea were on the wrong end of a 4-0 scoreline.
Tunisia faced Haiti at the BMO in Toronto, around 500 miles west of Boston, where the Caribbean side will kick off their World Cup campaign against Scotland in a few months. Tounekti was on target in the seventh minute with a well-worked goal that ultimately was the difference between the sides. The Hoops star has already made a strong case to be selected for the World Cup after a disappointing AFCON campaign.
The winger has earned a ‘super sub’ title in the east end of Glasgow but was quick off the mark from the start in this one. Braga midfielder Ismael Gharbi split the defence with a well-weighted through pass for Tounekti, who kept his composure to slot the ball past Alexandre Pierre in the Haiti net. It was just the second defeat in seven matches for Scotland’s World Cup rivals.
Closer to home, Yang Hyun-jun’s South Korea were battered 4-0 by Ivory Coast at the Stadium MK, home of EFL League Two side, Milton Keynes Dons. The Celtic man was brought on at half time to make an impact with his team already two goals down. However, he had the opposite effect as he made a crucial error leading to a goal around the hour mark.
Aston Villa’s Evann Guessand and Sunderland’s Simon Adingra gave Ivory Coast a commanding lead going into the break, before Yang was brought on for Kim Moon-hwan. The 23-year old struggled to get a foothold in the game going forward and was partly responsible for Martial Godo’s third for Les Elephants after a careless header towards his own goal was intercepted. Wilfried Singo added the icing on the cake in the last minute. Scotland will hope to fare better against Ivory Coast at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday.
Elsewhere, other Celtic wide man Daizen Maeda got a frosty reception at Hampden as his Japan side defeated Scotland 1-0. In a match with few talking points, Junya Ito’s late finish just about found its way past Angus Gunn to win it for the visitors. Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston both came on as substitutes for the hosts.
The Scottish Football Social Club is presented by BetSBK.com | 18+ | Gamble Responsibly