Celtic have players on international duty in every major continent.
Brendan Rodgers will be watching his players in every corner of the globe, hoping that they can avoid injury ahead of an intense run of Hoops fixtures.
Daizen Maeda has been ruled out of Japan’s game against Paraguay with a fitness issue, but this isn’t seen as serious. Sebastian Tounekti and Cameron Carter-Vickers have also travelled outside Europe.
A rare Uruguay call-up has come for Marcelo Saracchi, who has struggled for international action in recent years with intense competition for their left-back spot.
But his call-up may not have come for the right reasons, as a South American football expert has discussed.
Tim Vickery on Marcelo Saracchi’s Uruguay situation
Saracchi has started twice for the Hoops, vying for the left-back position with Kieran Tierney.
He marked his first with an excellent assist for Maeda’s opener against Kilmarnock, demonstrating the contributions he can make in the final third.
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Photo by ARISSON MARINHO/AFP via Getty Images
But this may not be the main reason why he is involved in his country’s squad.
Manager Marcelo Bielsa earned Uruguay a £200k fine by bringing a weakened squad to their fixtures for this international break.
Speaking on TalkSPORT, South American football expert Tim Vickery explained the situation – and it doesn’t sound ideal for the Hoops left-back.
“It’s not only the Dominican Republic that Uruguay are playing – it’s also Uzbekistan. And both games are taking place in Malaysia.
“So I think Bielsa has taken pity on his first-choice players. He’s hardly taken anyone. I think he’s using this opportunity to have a look at fringe players.
“But it is absolutely bizarre, and it comes from the fact that our [South America’s] World Cup qualification campaign is finished, and it’s still going on in lots of parts of the world.
“This is Bielsa saying: ‘If you’re not going to fix up any serious games, I’m not going to fix up any serious players.’ He has always danced to his own magnificent tune.”
Which Celtic players are going to the World Cup?
As highlighted by Vickery, Uruguay’s place at the World Cup is secured, making this a vital season for Saracchi if he wants to be in Bielsa’s squad at the tournament.
Tunisia have secured their place, so if Sebastian Tounekti keeps up his level of performance from his Hoops appearances so far, he is likely to represent the Hoops at the tournament.
Japan have secured their ticket too, and Maeda has earned the trust of Japan Hajime Moriyasu, but Reo Hatate not so much. He has not been included in their last two squads.
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty haven’t had to worry about the USA’s qualification campaign, with their place in the tournament being guaranteed as hosts.