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International Watch: How did the Bhoys get on?

By Morgan Sheppard

PARIS, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 22: Mikael Lustig of Celtic leaves the field injured during the UEFA Champions League group B match between Paris Saint-Germain and Celtic FC at Parc des Princes on November 22, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 22: Mikael Lustig of Celtic leaves the field injured during the UEFA Champions League group B match between Paris Saint-Germain and Celtic FC at Parc des Princes on November 22, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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The Celts had an impressive 13 players on international duty in the first break of the season, with 5 of those players amongst Alex McLeish’s Scottish national team. There were also four players called up for the Under 21’s of their respective countries, but just how did they get on?

Scotland (Craig Gordon, Kieran Tierney, Callum McGregor, James Forrest, Leigh Griffiths)

Scotland were swepped away in a friendly by an impressive Belgium side at Hampden Park. Gordon, Tierney, McGregor and Griffiths were all handed starts by Alex McLeish as they fell to a heavy 4-0 defeat against the likes of Eden Hazard. James Forrest was an unused substitute.

They bounced back in their opening UEFA Nations League against Albania though, earning a 2-0 win. Tierney and McGregor kept their places in the starting eleven whilst Gordon and Griffiths were both dropped to the bench. Griffiths made an appearance in the last 20 minutes however, but Forrest was an unused substitute again.

 

Belgium (Dedryck Boyata)

Boyata was part of the Belgium side that beat Scotland 4-0. The 27-year-old played all ninety minutes, starting in a back three alongside Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany and Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen. It was a comfortable friendly win for Roberto Martinez’s side in which Boyata collected a clean sheet.

Belgium continued their fine form in their first UEFA Nations League game with an enjoyable victory in Iceland just days after, although Boyata didn’t play a part in the 3-0 victory.

 

Costa Rica (Cristian Gamboa)

 

Costa Rica had a difficult international break, suffering back to back losses in South Korea and Japan respectively. Gamboa started in his team’s 2-0 loss in Korea, whilst also picking up a yellow card. The full-back wasn’t handed any minutes in the 3-0 loss in Japan however.

 

Norway (Kristoffer Ajer)

 

Ajer played the entirety of both games on international duty with Norway, including a 2-0 friendly win over Cyprus. The centre-back collected a clean sheet in that game, only to concede a single goal a few days later as Norway kicked off their UEFA Nations League campaign with a 1-0 loss to Bulgaria.

 

Sweden (Mikael Lustig)

 

Lustig was unused in his side’s 2-0 friendly loss in Austria, but was handed a starting spot at right back in the second fixture as Sweden started their UEFA Nations League journey at home to Turkey. The 31-year-old was forced off injured in the 79th minute with his side 2-1 up, who went on to lose the game. He is now doubtful for the clash against St Mirren on Friday.

 

Scotland U21’S (Michael Johnston)

 

Scotland U21’s started Johnston in both games this international break. The forward played all ninety in the 3-0 win over Andorra U21’s and played 70 minutes in his side’s impressive 2-1 away win in the Netherlands.

 

Croatia U21’S (Filip Benkovic)

Benkovic was part of the Croatian U21’s team that hammered Belarus U21’s, including a clean sheet for the Celts defender in a 4-0 triumph.

 

France U21’S (Olivier Ntcham)

 Olivier Ntcham came on a sub in a 1-0 win over Bulgaria’s U21’s, before starting, and playing the majority of his side’s 2-0 win over Luxembourg U21’s.

 

Northern Ireland U21’S (Conor Hazard)

 

Hazard started in goal for Northern Ireland U21’s in Spain, pulling off a few saves in the 2-1 win, only to lose his clean sheet due to a consolation goal during injury time.

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