What Celtic stars might appear at the World Cup in Qatar?…
Celtic’s squad has improved greatly under Ange Postecoglou with a number of international players coming to Parkhead to add much-needed quality to the squad that was beaten to the title in 2021 by theRangers. The Hoops quickly regained their status as champions of Scotland, winning their back this year thanks largely to a number of additions in the summer of last year and in the January transfer window and many of these Celtic’s stars could appear at the FIFA World Cup which is now just a few months away.
Josip Juranovic – Croatia
Josip Juranovic and Liel Abada of Celtic celebrate after the Cinch Scottish Premiership match which ended Celtic 4 theRangers 0 at Celtic Park on September 03, 2022 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Josip Juranovic has been excellent at right back for Celtic since joining from Legia Warsaw and is expected to start for Croatia at the World Cup ahead of Sime Vrsaljko.
Josip Juranovic’s game by numbers vs. Shaktar Donetsk:
88% pass accuracy
3/3 long balls completed
2/3 ground duels won
2 crosses completed
1/1 aerial duels won
1/1 dribble completed
1 key pass
1 big chance createdAnother solid Champions League performance. 👏 pic.twitter.com/8W5mwiGPW2
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) September 14, 2022
In terms of his nation’s chances at the competition, Croatia are huge outsider at 45/1 in terms of a bet on World Cup winners in December, however, his nation made it to the final in 2018 and perhaps could provide a shock again. In Paddy Power’s FIFA World Cup predictions, they are expected to comfortably emerge from Group F offered at odds on 4/7.
Aaron Mooy – Australia
Ross County v Celtic – Premier Sports Cup – Second Round – Global Energy Stadium Celtic s Aaron Mooy attempts a shot on goal.: Wednesday August 31, 2022. Photo Trevor Martin
Aaron Mooy is a vastly experienced central midfielder who has ever been involved for Celtic in the UEFA Champions League this season. Mooy is an Australia regular and will certainly appear in Qatar this November, however, there are not many hopes held for his nation with the Aussies being seen as one of the weakest sides to have qualified for the event.
The former Huddersfield Town man was vital in Australia’s play-off games to reach the World Cup, especially in the unforgettable victory against Peru and his quality will be essential yet again if Australia are to make any kind of impact at this year’s World Cup.
Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda – Japan
Ideguchi, Maeda, Hatate and Kyogo
The team Celtic fans may be getting behind could be Japan after Scotland failed to qualify for the competition. Ange Postecoglou has brought in four Japanese stars since he arrived in Glasgow, and three are in contention to appear for the Samurai Blue in Qatar.
Kyogo Furuhashi started the Scottish Premiership season in stunning goalscoring form will hope to replicate that for his nation in a few months’ time, as well as showcase his stunning trickery and pace against the heavyweights of Spain and Germany in Group E.
Kyogo was particularly brilliant in his debut season last term, which brought the initial spotlight to the creative attacker. Celtic’s main man will undoubtedly be in the Japanese squad for the World Cup the question is whether any of his compatriots also playing their football in Glasgow could join him.
Yesterday was my first eleven debut in a Champions League match ever.
Thanks to everyone who made that possible, I enjoyed every minute of it! We keep pushing 🍀#UCL #ShaktarCeltic pic.twitter.com/syuNd6XjsF
— Kyogo Furuhashi 古橋 亨梧 (@Kyogo_Furuhashi) September 15, 2022
Daizen Maeda provides plenty of pace and energy for the Japan side, as indeed he does for Celtic, and the forward looks set to be included in the sqaud for Qatar. And Reo Hatate, while not being involved previously for the senior side, has earned a place in this international camp and can play himself into contention as a late breakthough star for Japan at the World Cup.
Yosuke Ideguchi however has had injury worries since arriving at Celtic which has affected his impact in Scottish football and that will cost him a place in Qatar for his home nation. Ideguchi has 15 caps for Japan and if he could have stay injury free he could have been involved but frustratingly he seems to have missed out on his chance.
Cameron Carter-Vickers – United States
Cameron Carter-Vickers scores the winner at Ibrox. IMAGO / Shutterstock. Photo by Luke Nickerson/
Celtic’s Mr Muscle Cameron Carter-Vickers looks set to be in the United States squad for Qatar and indeed should feature in their games against England, Wales and Iran. And that means that the former Tottenham defender is likely to be facing his old Spurs teammate, the England captain Harry Kane.
Matt O’Riley – Denmark
Matt O’Riley of Celtic FC controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Shakhtar Donetsk and Celtic FC at The Marshall Jozef Pilsudski’s Municipal Stadium of Legia Warsaw on September 14, 2022 in Warsaw, Poland. (Photo by Adam Nurkiewicz/Getty Images)
This time last year Matt O’Riley was playing League One football in England with MK Dons and trying to decide if he’d be supporting England or Denmark at the World Cup. A move to Celtic in Janaury changed all that and what an impact he has made North of the Border.
O’Riley opted to throw his lot in with Denmark on the international front and was given his first Under 21 cap where he also impressed. And he’s currently away with the Danish Under 21s where further good showing could well lead to a place in the squad for Qatar. O’Riley’s progress has been such that the Celtic midfielder has been linked with a move to numerous Premier League clubs.
There will certainly be a representation of the Scottish champions in Qatar, but how many remains to be seen.
