International round-up: how 12 Celtic stars performed as National hero duo emerge during World Cup qualifying drama
A round-up of the 12 Parkhead aces on International duty’s performances.
A number of Celtic players were chosen to represent their countries in November’s International break.
A combined total of 12 Celtic stars were selected Internationally, for matches including World Cup qualifiers and Friendlies. During the last break, Kasper Schmeichel was the stand-out performer, having made countless great saves for Denmark against Greece and Belarus.
The break may have came at a good time for the Celts, as it gives Dermot Desmond and the Celtic board more time to find a permanent replacement for Brendan Rodgers. While Columbus Crew boss, Wilfried Nancy is the front runner, it appears that Martin O’Neill will continue to take charge of the club for the time being, against St Mirren at the weekend.
After a break which included varying performances for Celtic’s stars, here’s a look at how each International Celt performed for their respective countries:
Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston (Scotland)
In a chaotic couple of matches for Steve Clarke’s men Scotland somehow qualified for Canada, Mexico and the USA thanks to a late wonder-goal from substitute Tierney against Denmark in their 4-2 victory at Hampden. The full back didn’t feature against Greece in their other match.
Ralston came on as a late sub in Piraeus, but was on the bench for the entirety of the Denmark game. The right back wasn’t even born the last time Scotland made the tournament.
Liam Scales and Johnny Kenny (Republic of Ireland)
Scales produced two mammoth performances as the Boys in Green kept their World Cup dream alive. A 2-0 win at home to the Portuguese at home combined with their dramatic 3-2 victory in Hungary mean they are heading for the play-offs.
While helping them keep the clean sheet against Cristiano Ronaldo and co, Scales also helped his team at the other end, notching an assist in both matches. The most memorable of which will be his flick on for Troy Parrot for their 96th minute winner in Budapest. Kenny had a half hour cameo against the Hungarians.
Kasper Schmeichel (Denmark)
It was a break to forget for the experienced stopper as Denmark threw away their hopes of automatic qualification. A shock 2-2 draw with Belarus in Copenhagen meant Scotland could still qualify with a win at Hampden. Schmeichel then conceded four in Glasgow, however he was helpless for the majority of them. Kenny McLean’s 50 yard chip over the Celtic number one sealed the victory for Steve Clarke’s side.
Viljami Sinisalo (Finland)
It was also a break to forget for Schmeichel’s understudy, who was on the wrong end of a huge qualifying upset when the Finns lost to Malta at home 1-0. He was then dropped for their 4-0 win against Andorra.
Daizen Maeda (Japan)
Celtic’s duracell bunny was on the bench for their 2-0 friendly victory against Ghana but played 82 minutes in their 3-0 win over Bolivia.
Auston Trusty (USA)
Also an unused sub in America’s 2-1 friendly win over Paraguay, but played 90 in their impressive 5-1 drubbing of Uruguay, during which he notched an assist.
Sebastian Tounekti (Tunisia)
Withdrawn from International duty as per Celtic’s request for friendlies against Georgia and Brazil.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha (DR Congo)
Held his nerve to score his penalty against Nigeria to keep their World Cup dream alive. They will now face Iraq, Jamaica, Bolivia, Suriname or New Caledonia in an all or nothing play-off in March.
Colby Donovan (Scotland Under-21s)
More bad news on the injury front. The young defender was taken off in the 53rd minute in Scotland’s 2-0 win over Gibraltar.