With the third annoying international break of the season upon us, 13 Celts have been called up for their home nations…

Anthony Ralston in action against Croatia — Anthony Ralston of Scotland crossed the ball under pressure from Luka Modric of Croatia during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A1 match between Croatia and Scotland at Stadion Maksimir on October 12, 2024 in Zagreb, Croatia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)

Steve Clarke named Greg Taylor and Anthony Ralston in Scotland’s squad for upcoming Nations League matches versus Croatia at Hampden on Friday followed by Poland in Warsaw on Monday night. Ralston will most likely make his 10th consecutive appearance in a Scotland jersey as Clarke’s men aim to find their first victory in nine games.

Celtic's Liam Scales scores for Ireland against Finland — UEFA Nations League Group B2, Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland 10/10/2024 Finland vs Republic of Ireland. Celtic’s Liam Scales heads the ball in to score. 10/10/2024. Photo INPHO/Ryan Byrne

In the October camp, Liam Scales netted his first goal for Ireland. In doing so, Heimir Hallgrimsson achieved his inaugural win as Ireland manager against Finland. Scales will be a favourite to start as the Irish prepare to play Finland at the Aviva this evening, and then England at Wembley on Sunday night.

Kasper Schmeichel was Man of the Match. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

Meanwhile, Celtic’s goalkeepers are away on international duty. Kasper Schmeichel will be looking to add to his remarkable 109 caps for Denmark. The Danes face the exciting prospect of playing the European Championship winners Spain at Parken Arena. A trip to Belgrade against Serbia will be Schmeichel’s final match for his country before travelling back to Glasgow. Clinching a quarter-final spot in the Nations League is a realistic prospect for Kasper and his teammates.

Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo 12 celebrates with his teammates after the friendly soccer match between Chelsea and Celtic on July 27, 2024, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire SOCCER: JUL 27 Chelsea vs Celtic

Viljami Sinisalo, who is yet to feature under Brendan Rodgers’ has flown to Finland where he will most likely watch his Hoops teammate Liam Scales from the bench. Sinisalo’s Finnish side are rock bottom of their group and have the ominous task of league leaders Greece in their final outing. Similarly to Celtic, at international level an experienced shot stopper is preventing Sinisalo from being number one choice. Lukas Hradecky, Bayer Leverkusen’s goalkeeper has been a mainstay in the Finnish national team setup for more than a decade now.

Arne Engels unhappy at Nick Walsh. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star.

Celtic’s record transfer signing Arne Engels gained his first Belgian cap against Israel back in September. Domenico Tedesco has included the 21 year-old amongst the senior set-up once again as the Belgians prepare to clash with France and Israel over the next week.

Kyogo and Daizen Maeda — Celtic v RB Leipzig – UEFA Champions League Kyogo Furuhashi applauds the fans ahead of Daizen Maeda after being substituted off during the UEFA Champions League, league stage match at Celtic Park on Tuesday November 5, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

Following a prolonged absence from the Japan NT, Kyogo will join teammates Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda in Asia. Hajime Moriyasu’s side have won 7 of their last 8 matches, and the Celtic trio have fairly long-distances to travel with encounters against Indonesia, and then China in AFC Qualification.

Champions League Reo Hatate celebrates after scoring in the second half of a Champions League football match against Leipzig on Nov. 5, 2024, Photo Imago (The Celtic Star).

Despite featuring very little for the Hoops this season, Luis Palma has been called up to the Honduras squad. Huge matches await for the Hondurans as they play Mexico over two legs in the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final.

Luis Palma with the match ball in Sligo — Mid-Season Friendly, Showgrounds, Sligo 9/10/2024 Sligo Rovers vs Celtic Celtic s Luis Palma celebrates with the match ball after scoring a hat trick Luis Palma celebrates with the match ball after scoring a hat trick 9/10/2024 Photo :INPHO/Tom Maher

Alistair Johnston in action. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

Over in North America, Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston’s Canadians will be seeking to reach the CONCACAF Nations League semi-final with victories over Suriname. Whilst Auston Trusty, who was given a first USMNT appearance in 18 months by new manager Mauricio Pochettino against Mexico in October has been recalled to the American squad once more.

Auston Trusty at Rugby Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star.

Portuguese u21 captain Paulo Bernardo steered his side to Euro 2025 qualification a month ago. Celtic’s £3.5 million midfielder will lead his country out versus Ukraine u21s and Slovakia u21s in international friendlies.

Paulo Bernardo celebrates scoring to give Celtic a 0-2 lead. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Football, McDiarmid Park, Perth Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

Good luck to all the Bhoys in their adventures. But more importantly, don’t get injured!

Conor Spence

Matt Corr’s wonderful new books, Celtic in the Thirties, Volumes One & Two are both out now on Celtic Star Books and you can order a signed copies by clicking on the links below…