Last night there were a handful of Ange Postecoglou’s men that proudly donned their respective countries’ shirts in the UEFA Nations League. After Callum McGregor played and scored – but ultimately could not prevent an insipid Scotland performance against a febrile Ukraine – Giorgos Giakoumakis, Carl Starfelt and Liel Abada all featured in the fixtures which have replaced friendlies on the calendar for Internationals.
Each player came away from tonight with different outcomes. First of all, Liel Abada made his first senior appearance for the national side and didn’t fail to deliver the goods. A goal and an overall comprehensive performance by the diminutive forward was not enough to claim all three points against Iceland as they drew 2-2. Although the winger did receive praise for his astute first performance online.
🇮🇱 Liel Abada against 🇮🇸 Iceland:
80′ minutes played.
1 goal.
19/21 accurate passes (90%).
2/2 shots on-target.
1 big chance created.So good without the ball, keeps banging exactly the kind of goals that he scores for Celtic. Class. 🟢⚪️ pic.twitter.com/RKosaPOIcS
— R.D. Football Scout (@RdScouting) June 2, 2022
— Follow @rdscouting (@RdScoutingVids) June 2, 2022
Giorgos Giakoumakis rubbed salt into the wounds of the Ibrox side’s resident OAP, Steve Davis – whom they have just given an extended contract to after barely featuring this season under the manager. Greece ran out 1-0 winners at Windsor Park, with the big striker coming close to scoring listening to reports on the match. Job done for Giako.
He spurned one glaring chance to make the game safe but Celtic’s Giorgios Giakoumakis was still celebrating tonight as Greece recorded a 1-0 Nations League win over Northern Ireland in Belfasthttps://t.co/ZpPzHRkRtO pic.twitter.com/afeWajk0tA
— Scottish Sun Sport (@scotsunsport) June 2, 2022
Finally, the sting in the tale. Carl Starfelt was the unluckiest of the three Hoops players on duty tonight after he succumbed to injury. The centre-back had to go off with what appeared to be a hamstring complaint at just 44 minutes. Initial signs did not look good as he was stretchered off the pitch in considerable discomfort. If anything, only the small consolation of a 2-0 victory for Sweden over Slovenia may ease his pain.
The Celtic Faithful will be hoping it is not too severe, fingers crossed!
Aw for the love of god, Starfelt away. pic.twitter.com/ZoTLasMJiQ
— AJ_CELTIC (@AJ_CELTIC) June 2, 2022
🇸🇪 | Carl Starfelt
Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen are reporting Carl Starfelt suffered an injury to his “back thigh” in tonight’s fixture with Slovenia.
[@fotbollskanal] pic.twitter.com/r2kdzyrlQQ
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) June 2, 2022
🚨 RESULTS 🚨
Which team had the best performance? 🤔 #NationsLeague
— UEFA Nations League (@EURO2024) June 2, 2022
Paul Gillespie
