With that, here is how all 12 of our senior players fared on international duty.<\/p>\n
Should Steve Clarke ask Celtic captain Callum McGregor to revoke his Scotland retirement for the 2026 World Cup? Kieran Tierney \u2013 9\/10<\/p>\n
Kieran Tierney<\/a> will be forever remembered by Scotland fans for scoring the goal that booked their place at the 2026 World Cup.<\/p>\n With everything on the line in a top of the table clash against Denmark, Tierney\u2019s stoppage time goal<\/a> past teammate Kasper Schmeichel<\/a> gave the Tartan Army a 3-2 lead before Kenny McLean sealed the win.<\/p>\n The full-back came off the bench in the second game and made a huge impact that will go down in history.<\/p>\n Anthony Ralston \u2013 6\/10<\/p>\n Unlike Tierney, Anthony Ralston<\/a> didn\u2019t get on the pitch for the win against Denmark, but did appear in the second half of the 3-2 loss away to Greece.<\/p>\n Aaron Hickey has been preferred to the Celtic right-back in the starting XI, and Ralston knows that he will need to work hard to ensure he books his place on the plane.<\/p>\n Liam Scales \u2013 9\/10<\/p>\n If you thought Scotland was dramatic, Liam Scales<\/a> would simply say: Hold my beer.<\/p>\n On paper, games against Portugal and Hungary represented much tougher tests but the Republic of Ireland prevailed to beat both sides.<\/p>\n Scales was a rock at the back and provided two assists across both games, including Troy Parrott\u2019s stoppage time winner against Hungary to secure Ireland a play-off place and two more games before a definite spot at the World Cup.<\/p>\n Johnny Kenny \u2013 6\/10<\/p>\n Johnny Kenny<\/a> will never forget this international break after he was brought on as a second-half substitute in the win against Hungary to make his senior international debut.<\/p>\n Kenny was a late addition to the Ireland squad<\/a> but will be a regular feature if he continues his recent goalscoring run for Celtic.<\/p>\n Kasper Schmeichel \u2013 5\/10<\/p>\n A bitterly disappointing campaign for Schmeichel as Denmark failed to win both of their games and were forced to settle for a play-off spot.<\/p>\n Denmark were held to a 2-2 draw by Belarus before being beaten by Scotland 4-2 to surrender their position as group leaders and finish second.<\/p>\n Schmeichel was at fault for two of the goals at Hampden Park<\/a> after failing to deal with Lewis Ferguson\u2019s corner before being lobbed for Scotland\u2019s fourth.<\/p>\n Viljami Sinisalo \u2013 5\/10<\/p>\n Viljami Sinisalo hinted he may leave Celtic on loan in January<\/a>, but won\u2019t have people queuing around the block for his signature after a disappointing international break.<\/p>\n Sinisalo<\/a> was in goal for Finland\u2019s surprise 1-0 defeat against Malta in the World Cup qualifiers before being dropped to the bench for the friendly win against Andorra.<\/p>\n Benjamin Nygren \u2013 7\/10<\/p>\n Sweden may have disappointed in their World Cup qualifiers, but Benjamin Nygren<\/a> can take some personal pride.<\/p>\n Nygren scored his first goal for Sweden in a 4-1 loss against Switzerland<\/a> before being benched for the second game against Slovenia.<\/p>\n The 24-year-old will be glad to return to club football.<\/p>\n Colby Donovan \u2013 5\/10<\/p>\n Colby Donovan<\/a> featured in Scotland U21s 2-0 win against Gibraltar U21s, but there were concerns after Donovan was forced to return to Celtic<\/a> following an ankle injury.<\/p>\n More updates on his situation are expected to come later in the week.<\/p>\n Auston Trusty \u2013 7\/10<\/p>\n It was a triumphant return to the USMNT for Auston Trusty<\/a> as he grabbed an assist in the 5-1 win against a Uruguay squad missing Marcelo Saracchi<\/a> as they favoured domestic-based players instead.<\/p>\n Trusty didn\u2019t feature in their other game but has given Mauricio Pochettino food for thought after recording his best win as the manager of the USA.<\/p>\n Daizen Maeda \u2013 6\/10<\/p>\n Japan\u2019s preparations for the World Cup continued with wins against Ghana and Bolivia.<\/p>\n Daizen Maeda<\/a> only played in the second game and lasted 82 minutes in the 3-0 win before being replaced.<\/p>\n Michel-Ange Balikwisha \u2013 8\/10<\/p>\n After being cleared by FIFA to play, Michel-Ange Balikwisha was drafted into the DR Congo squad<\/a> for the first time for their huge World Cup play-off matches.<\/p>\n![\"Auston](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GettyImages-2247381819-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by John Dorton\/ISI Photos\/USSF\/Getty Images<\/p>\n