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Daily Record
Sport
Will Lancaster

The 8 best SPFL World Cup performances as class of 2022 aim for Qatar heroics

With the World Cup nigh, there is much excitement across the globe for a first ever winter edition of the most famous tournament on the planet.

World Cup fever has swept most countries, though for Scotland, it is yet another year without an appearance - marking 24 years since their last involvement. Jason Cummings will be the lone Scot at the tournament as he pulls on an Australia jersey. However, the hype doesn't stop the involvement of some of the Scottish Premiership stars and there are a multitude of SPFL players taking to the field this year; with Australia housing the majority of those, alongside Croatia, Japan and more.

But with a casted eye looking down on the stars involved from the Scottish Premiership, we wonder just how many jaw-dropping performances have there been over the years on the world stage from those who ply their trade at Celtic Park and Ibrox? Record Sport takes a look at rememberable performances, superb tournaments and incredible goals.

Henrik Larsson

A man for the big occasion, Henrik Larsson excelled at the World Cup in 1994. However, his only appearance on the global stage for Celtic actually came in the 2002 World Cup in South Korea/Japan.

(Reuters)

Being in the group of death alongside Argentina, Nigeria and England, Larsson was the hero against the African nation with a double to send them top of the group going into the final game of the tournament.

Advancing and knocking Argentina out, Sweden were drawn against Senegal in the round of 16; and the man nicknamed 'King of Kings' scored yet again, though his nation were not successful.

Georgios Samaras

Samaras is a cult hero at Celtic Park, notable for his ability to pop-up in big games to score vital goals. A double at Ibrox, his last minute winner in Moscow, a header against Barcelona - he was 'the man of the moment' more than once.

That extended past club endeavours too. With Greece facing Ivory Coast at the 2014 World Cup in a final-day group stage clash, they needed to win to qualify for the knockout rounds. A Samaras assist in the first half had them on course for glory, though Wilfried Bony's goal cancelled that out.

However, with time ticking away and second-half stoppage time nigh, Samaras was fouled in the area to give himself the chance to score from the spot and send a nation ecstatic. That he did - making history for his country in Brazil.

Madjid Bougherra

Although Algeria crashed out in the group stages, Bougherra will have been look upon very fondly by Rangers ' support for keeping England quiet in South Africa.

With the Three Lions toiling to a group stage draw in their opener against the United States, Algeria were next up in a game that Fabio Capello's men were easily expected to win.

Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra tussles with Sol Bamba of Hibs in 2010 (SNS Group)

However, a lacklustre Lions performance was summed up by Bougherra's dominance at the heart of defence, keeping an angered Wayne Rooney quiet and leaving with a Man of the Match award.

Efe Ambrose

Then-Celtic defender Ambrose has gone on to have quiet the career in Scotland, going on to play for Hibs, Livingston, St Johnstone, Dunfermline and now at Championship outfit Greenock Morton.

But in his early Celtic days, Ambrose took to the 2014 World Cup and dominated proceedings, being an ever-present at right-back as Nigeria kept two clean sheets in their first two games before qualifying for the knockouts.

Of course, they were booted out by France in the round of 16 - but Efe has lived to tell the tale...

Brian Laudrup

Laudrup is the most decorated of any player on this list with a Euros trophy, Champions League and multiple Scottish titles - and his experienced proved vital for Denmark in the World Cup of 1998, where he was named in the team of the tournament alongside his brother Michael.

Celtic take on Rangers in January 1998 - just weeks before the friendly match idea was raised (Reuters)

A slow start to the group stages saw him turn up goalless, though it was the knockout stages where Laudrup made his name, with a goal in the superb 4-1 win over Nigeria in the round of sixteen set up a quarter-final clash against Brazil.

Trailing 2-1 to the Selecao, Laudrup's strike hauled his country back into the game - though a Rivaldo strike broke Danish hearts. A good showing though from the former Bayern Munich legend, it only elevated his legend status.

Shunsuke Nakamura

Renowned for his free-kicks, Nakamura was capable of doing so on the big stage in Europe. His title winner against Kilmarnock, two free-kicks against Manchester United back in 2006 - and the Japan star did so again, albeit in controversial circumstances, when the whole world was watching.

With Japan taking on Australia in the Group F opener, Nakamura advanced on the right-wing and sent a trademark ball curling into the box. Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer tried to get near it but couldn't leaving Nakamura to become the first Japanese player to score at a World Cup away from home soil in eight years.

Not his prettiest goal, but one that would live long in the memory of Celtic fans due to his legend status at Parkhead at the time.

Johan Mjallby

Mjallby was another star who featured alongside Larsson for Sweden - and it was his defensive nous that saw the Scandinavian nation through despite dramatic circumstances in 2002.

Called up to the squad only through Patrik Andersson's injury, Mjallby was thrust into the group of death which contained Nigeria, England and Argentina on a whim. However, forming a superb partnership with Andreas Jakobsson, the Celtic hero saw his side amazingly top the group and progress to the last 16. Quite amazing, considering the circumstances...

Marc Rieper

Another member of that famous 1998 Danish team that included the Laudrup brothers was Celtic defender Rieper.

Then 30 years old, the Dane started at the heart of the Danish defence for the group opener against Saudi Arabia. Keeping a tight ship in the first half, the giant then pounced on the end of a back-post cross to give his team the lead against a beleaguered Saudi side in a tight 1-0 win.

A proper captain's performance from the former West Ham United star.

Packie Bonner

The only player on this list who produced on the world stage TWICE whilst playing for a Scottish side, Bonner's World Cup recognition between the sticks will live on in Celtic folklore.

In 1994, Bonner's performances weren't the best despite beating Italy 1-0 in the opening group game as they crashed out of the tournament early on.

But the Celtic legend will forever be remembered for his outing at the 1990 World Cup. Ireland's first ever appearance at the world's biggest sporting event, Bonner recorded two assists despite being goalkeeper - with England and the Netherlands feeling the wrath of his greatness and ultimately qualifying in second.

Then, in the round of 16 in Genoa, Ireland went to penalties against Romania - and Bonner was the man of the moment again, saving from Daniel Timofte to send the Boys in Green to the quarter-finals. Coolness personified.

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