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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mya Bollan

How every Celtic and Rangers star is faring on international duty as Giorgos Giakoumakis mystery continues

There have been a quite a few players from either side of the Old Firm on international duty this break.

And some have fared a lot better than others as they look to help their country in the Nations League or simply provide a boost during World Cup warm up clashes. There have been Glasgow-based lads in every corner of the globe over the last week or so, from Aaron Mooy in Australia to a whole host of Scots who will be on their way to Poland as they ready for the Ukraine showdown on Tuesday.

But the break has left some disappointed, with the outcome of some a cause for concern as they make their way back to their club. Ange Postecoglou may have something to worry about after star frontman Giorgos Giakoumakis was sent for an MRI scan after picking up a thigh injury during duty for Greece. Maeda has also missed training after coming off at half time during Japan's victory over the USA.

Josip Juranovic will be making his way back to Parkhead full of confidence, with Croaita securing their spot in the Nations League Finals. Fellow countryman and domestic rival Borna Barisic may not be in such good spirits, however, after the Croatian media were left unhappy with his performance.

There is much to discuss, so Record Sport have given a little insight into each Old Firm player's international experience so far this break.

Australia - Aaron Mooy

The Celtic midfielder was sent home by Australia boss Graham Arnold, meaning he missed his country's final World Cup warm-up again against New Zealand. Mooy played all 90 minutes for the Socceroos in the first of back to back clashes with the All Whites on Thursday, helping to secure a 1-0 victory.

Aaron Mooy of Australia after the clash with New Zealand (Getty Images)

But he was not there for the return tie in Auckland on Sunday, where the Aussies won 2-0. Mooy has ramped up his game-time under fellow Aussie Postecoglou in recent weeks, having been handed a start in Celtic's 2-0 defeat to St Mirren. Reports in Australia suggest that Socceroos gaffer Arnold has sent home players who he already views as certainties to be in his World Cup squad.

Croatia - Josip Juranovic & Borna Barisic

It has been a hugely successful Nations League campaign for Croatia this term. And it means that Celtic full-back Josip Juravnovic looks set to make an appearance in the competition's grand finale.

A 3-1 away win against Austria saw Croatia seal their place in the Finals. Juranovic was actually an unused sub during the clash, despite usually being a regular starter at left or right back for Zlatko Dalić’s side.

However, despite it being an exciting evening for Croatia, it was a night to forget for Rangers defender Borna Barisic. It was a 3-1 victory, but Barisic has been slammed by the Croatian media for his fault in Austria's goal after Baumgartner managed to escape from him “with ease” before unleashing his shot. He was hooked off in the 46th minute.

Greece - Giorgos Giakoumakis

Celtic frontman Giakoumakis is reportedly missed Greece training and is a major doubt for his country's Nations League clash with Northern Ireland. The Hoops striker was called up despite suspension meaning he missed Greece's opener defeat to Cyprus. But boss Gus Poyet would have been looking to call up the 27-year-old against Ian Baraclough's men.

(SNS Group)

However, multiple reports in his homeland state the at Parkhead forward has picked up a thigh injury and has since underwent an MRI scan to determine the extent of the problem. A real worry for Postecoglou and his side.

Israel -Liel Abada

The attacker was involved in Israel's 2-1 victory over Albania. But the international break could end in dramatic fashion for the young Celtic star. He came off in the 77th minute during Saturday's Nations League clash ahead of potentially dropping down to U21 level in a bid to help their quest to qualify for the Euros in a game against the Republic of Ireland.

Abada has started the last three fixtures for his country's senior side, netting his first international goal against Iceland in June. However, with the U21's European Championship qualification on the line, the 20-year-old is set to be drafted in to provide reinforcement. A compliment, eh?

Japan - Reo Hatate, Kyogo and Daizen Maeda

Japan secured a 2-0 victory over the USA as they continued their World Cup warm-up. There was plenty of Premiership players involved in the clash with Celtic trio Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Kyogo all in the Japanese squad.


It was only Maeda who was handed a start for this country however, with the forward seemingly the preferred option of boss Hajime Moriyasu ahead of teammate Kyogo, despite the opposite being the case a lot of the time at club level. Maeda was taken off at half time after picking up a knock in the opening 45. The forward has since missed training ahead of Japan's final clash, creating some concern for Celtic.

It was bad news for Hatate too as he didn't even make it onto the bench after being named in Moriyasu's 29-man squad. Japan still have another game to go though before the three Hoops stars return to Glasgow's east end. They take on Ecuador away, so there could be another opportunity for at least Kyogo and Hatate to make their marks.

Montenegro - Sead Haksabanovic

The Celtic newbie started his country's first Nations League clash on the break on the bench as they took on Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home. But the forward was brought on in the 70th minute as Montenegro looked to fight back after going a goal down just before the break. There were no more goals to come though and the clash ended 1-0. But Haksabanovic could be selected in Montenegro's starting XI as they take on Finland on Monday as his side look to secure runners up position in Group G.

Northern Ireland - Steven Davis

The Rangers man was in the starting XI for Northern Ireland as they welcomed Kosovo to Belfast. It was a dramatic clash, with two late goals after a Kosovo opener keeping all three points in NI.

Captain Davis played 91 minutes before coming off in injury time at 1-1 before his side made it 2-1 a moment later through Josh Magennis. It is a trip to Greece that finishes off the break for the midfielder and the Northern Ireland side on Tuesday, with another start surely to come.

Republic of Ireland - Liam Scales

The Celtic loanee is spending the season at Aberdeen and was called up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad for the first time this international break after impressing in the north east during the opening stages of the 2022/23 campaign.

However, the 24-year-old defender was left out of the match day squad ahead of the Scotland game. There is one more chance this break, though, with a Ireland welcoming Armenia on Tuesday.

Scotland - Greg Taylor, Anthony Ralston, Callum McGregor, Ryan Jack, David Turnbull & Robby McCrorie

It has been a fantastic international break for Scotland so far with six points from six ahead of Tuesday's trip to Poland to face Ukraine. And top spot in the Nations League group is in touching distance.

Some of the Old Firm players have features more than other, with Callum McGregor playing all 180 minutes so far. And it is likely to be the same again for the Celtic skipper in Krakow as Steve Clarke looks to lead his men to a third triumph in a row.

Fellow Celtic stars Greg Taylor and Anthony Ralston have also feature this break. Ralston replaced former Hearts full-back Aaron Hickey during Saturday's win over Ireland after he was forced off with an injury. The Hoops man made a positive impact after being introduced, helping his teammates secure all three points in the tight contest.

Greg Taylor came on in the 86th minute for Kieran Tierney during the Ukraine clash, before replacing the Arsenal star on Saturday after KT was forced off as a 'precaution' after just 46 minutes of play. And now Tierney has been ruled out of Tuesday's showdown in Poland, meaning the door is wide open for Taylor to make his mark in the starting XI.

Ryan Jack has had to settle for the bench for both games, but with Scott McTominay suspended for Tuesday's showdown after one too many yellow cards, it could be the Rangers man's time to step up. Gers keeper McCrorie was waiting patiently in the wings as Scotland no.1 Craig Gordon was in the labour ward welcoming the newest addition to his family. But the Hearts skipper managed to play, leaving the Light Blues shot stopper on the bench. Celtic's David Turnbull was called up but was allowed to return home after an injury he picked up before the break did not heal up as expected.

Turkey- Ridvan Yilmaz

The 21-year-old left back is yet to make his mark at Ibrox since arriving in the summer. He joined Stefan Kuntz's Turkey side for their closing two Nations League clashes this international break, but had to settle for the bench. Turkey were victorious over the Faroe Islands on Monday after a 3-3 draw with Luxembourg on Thursday.

USA - Malik Tillman

The Rangers frontman faced a few familiar faces as the USA took on Japan in their latest World Cup warm up clash. He started the clash on the bench but made his appearance in the 67th minute but couldn't stop his side crashing to a defeat.

It is a trip to take on Saudia Arabia for the Bayern Munich loanee next.

Wales - Rabbi Matondo

Another Rangers recruit who has struggled to make an impact since arriving at Ibrox. The 22-year-old missed out on any part of Wales' loss to Belgium after boss Robert Page excluded from the final 23-man squad to take on Roberto Martinez's giants.

And it was the same again for Matondo as Wales lost to Poland on Sunday. It is not a huge surprise, with the winger struggling for match day minutes at club under Gio van Bronckhorst.

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