Celtic players on International Duty.

Full 90 for Ajer


Full game for Lustig

No match play for Dedryck

 

Doesn't look like it at the moment..

 

Their first team are like that with small teams too, 0-0 against Belarus away only won 2-1 yesterday and 0-0 draw with Luxembourg at home last month.

 

Rogic V Izaguirre in the play-offs, who wins?

 

Hopefully oz. I have no doubt big tam will light it up at the World Cup and possibly score a worldie.

 

A HOST of Celtic’s senior squad members were in action over the international break as the World Cup qualifiers entered the crunch stage.

There was a mixture of elation and disappointment for the Bhoys on duty as they competed for a place in next year’s tournament in Russia.

The Hoops had five players called up to the Scotland squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and Slovenia.

Craig Gordon, Leigh Griffiths, James Forrest and Kieran Tierney were all selected by former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan, with Scotland skipper Scott Brown and Stuart Armstrong dropping out through injury. In-form midfielder Callum McGregor was drafted in as a late replacement for his Celtic team-mates.

Four Celts started for the Scot in a 1-0 win over Slovakia, with Griffiths playing a pivotal role in the creation of the goal, setting up a crucial final group game away against Slovenia.

Gordon, Griffiths and Tierney kept their starting places, with Forrest joining McGregor on the bench in Ljubljana.

Griffiths put the Scots ahead on 32 minutes with a left-footed half-volley from a tight angle, his fourth goal in five international appearances, but two second-half goals from Roman Bezjak left Strachan’s men with too much to do despite a late goal from Robert Snodgrass.

The draw left Scotland joint-second in Group F, but beaten to a play-off place by Slovakia on goal-difference.

Mikael Lustig and Cristian Gamboa are on their way to Russia in 2018 after securing qualification with their respective countries.

Lustig helped Sweden book a place, scoring in an 8-0 win over Luxembourg before playing the full game in a defeat to The Netherlands.

Gamboa started in Costa Rica’s draw with Honduras to clinch qualification. The full-back missed out on the defeat to Panama four days later through suspension.

Tom Rogic appeared as a substitute for Australia in the first-leg of their play-off against Syria, before starting in their victory in the second-leg. The Socceroos needed extra-time to beat Syria and will now play an Intercontinental play-off against Honduras for a spot in next year’s World Cup.

Nir Bitton featured in Israel’s qualifier against Spain, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1-0 defeat. Despite being called-up, Jonny Hayes did not feature for Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland side who booked a place in the World Cup play-offs with a 1-0 win over Wales in Cardiff.

Also away with his national team was Dedryck Boyata. The defender was an unused substitute in Belgium’s victories over Bosnia & Herzegovina and Cyprus. His defensive partner Jozo Simunovic pulled out of the Bosnia squad due to injury while Eboue Kouassi also had to pull out of the Ivory Coast side who beat Mali in their World Cup qualifier.

At youth level, Celtic were represented by Ross Doohan, Michael Johnston and Calvin Miller for Scotland Under-21s, with the missing Anthony Ralston withdrawing himself from the set-up due to injury.

Moussa Dembele and Olivier Ntcham started in France Under-21s’ wins over Montenegro and Luxembourg and Kristoffer Ajer was the hero in Norway Under-21s’surprise 3-1 victory over Germany.

The Hoops defender continued to play a pivotal role in the side after having his shoulder joint popped back into place during the match.

Ajer also played the full 90 minutes in a goal-less draw in Dublin against Ireland. Finally, Conor Hazard was on the bench for Northern Ireland Under-21s’ qualifier against Estonia.

 

Kieran, Craig, James, Callum and Ryan all playing for Scotland tonight.


Olivier on the bench with Moussa starting against bulgaria.

Beni made his Zimbabwe against Lesotho last night.

 

Emilio V Tom tonight in the WC Play off.


Gamboa expected to start against Spain

Lustig banned for the first game against Italy


Dedryck should get some game time against Mexico

 

A NUMBER of Celtic players are heading to next year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia following the culmination of the qualifiers over the past week, with Tom Rogic and Australia confirming their place earlier today with a 3-1 victory over Honduras, courtesy of a Mile Jedinak hat-trick in Sydney.

Mikael Lustig and Sweden pulled off the upset of the European play-offs, knocking out four-time World Cup-winners, Italy. After a 1-0 victory in Stockholm, the Swedes held the Italians to a goal-less draw in Milan, meaning that the 2006 champions will miss the World Cup for the first time since 1958.

Lustig played a crucial role in shutting the Italians out in the second-leg, playing the full 90 minutes to stun Buffon, Chiellini and co. in the San Siro Stadium.

Dedryck Boyata earned his third senior cap for Belgium, who had already qualified for Russia 2018, in a 3-3 draw with Mexico.

Former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland side will not be at the World Cup next summer following a heavy 5-1 defeat in the second leg of their play-off tie against Denmark. That means Jonny Hayes misses out on a trip to Russia, although Erik Sviatchenko could be on the plane if re-selected for the Danish squad when fit.

Cristian Gamboa had already helped Costa Rica qualify for Russia from their group, and the 28-year-old right-back was in action for Los Ticos over the international break, starting in losses to Spain and Hungary.

It was a proud moment for Kieran Tierney as he captained Scotland against Holland last week Just weeks after skippering the Celts for a second time, the 20-year-old full-back was given the armband for the national side and led the team out at Pittodrie. Callum McGregor and Ryan Christie made their international debuts in the 1-0 defeat in Aberdeen, whilst Craig Gordon and James Forrest also featured in the starting XI.

Another international debut was handed to Kundai Benyu, who made his first appearance for Zimbabwe against Lesotho before featuring again against Namibia.

There was success for the international Celts at youth level as Moussa Dembélé and Olivier Ntcham helped France Under-21s to two wins in four days in the UEFA Euro Under-21s qualifiers. Ntcham scored a superb 25-yard free-kick in a 3-0 win over Bulgaria before Dembélé displayed his international pedigree with a stunning 11-minute hat-trick in a 3-1 victory away against Slovenia. Both have become important players for the Under-21s side and will be hopeful of making their senior bow in the future.

Elsewhere in the UEFA Euro Under-21s qualifiers, Kristoffer Ajer started for Norway in a 2-1 win over Ireland in Drammen.

At Under-19 level, Mikey Johnston claimed a brace in a 3-3 draw between Scotland and Armenia, scoring either side of Jack Aitchison’s goal. Robbie Deas also featured in Luxembourg. Johnston also played in a 1-0 defeat to the Czech Republic, with Stephen Welsh coming off the bench for the young Scots.

 

Players away over the next few weeks

 

Amazing Boyata makes the Belgium squad..

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Amazing Lustig makes the Sweden squad.

 

At least he’s performed well for them before, Boyata won’t get near the starting 11 for Belgium in the WC, shouldn’t be anywhere near ours..

 

Completelly different player for them. Id happily give him another shot if he could play in a sweden kit

 

Canny beat a bit Boyatta bashing.

 

It’s warranted mate.. will never be good enough at what 28?

 

I know I'm just winding you up.

 

Btw.. I don’t dislike him he’s shown loads of determination.. wish others could should the will and desire he’s show(Sviatchenko & Simunovic at times) but he just isn’t good enough..

 

He's good enough for the SPL.

Mad that some amount of hate for the guy.