Celtic's international contingent is heading back to Glasgow after a three-week break that saw 12 players represent their countries. The squad will regroup at Lennoxtown on Friday, with Martin O'Neill's side facing a trip to Fir Park this weekend. The Hoops are looking to recover from two derby defeats and a Europa League loss to Ferencvaros, with O'Neill declaring himself "extremely prepared" to lead the Scottish champions forward.
Mheuka and Baur shine on the international stage
Shumaira Mheuka marked his promotion to England Under-20s with goals against France and Germany. The 18-year-old, who scored 16 goals for the Three Lions' U-19s, has been waiting patiently for game time at Parkhead. His form could convince O'Neill to start him at Motherwell.
Mika Baur made his Germany debut in a win over Serbia, becoming the 1,000th player to represent the four-times world champions. He earned a second cap from the bench in a goalless draw with Greece. Jurgen Klopp praised the 22-year-old as a "wonderful footballer" who reminds him of "a multiple Champions League winner."
Nygren sent home ill, Sinisalo made vice-captain
Benjamin Nygren scored his fourth goal for Sweden in a 3-1 home win against Poland before falling ill. He was one of five players sent home from Sweden's camp after a sickness bug, sitting out clashes against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Romania.
Viljami Sinisalo kept a clean sheet in Finland's 7-0 win over San Marino, earning his eighth cap. The keeper, still back-up to Lukas Hradecky, was recently made vice-captain. Finland boss Jacob Friis said: "Viljami was already a captain in the Under 21s. His personality helps him to be a link to the younger players in the squad. I am sure Viljami will go on to have a long career with Finland."
Mixed fortunes for defenders and debutants
Liam Scales played in three of Ireland's four Nations League matches, including draws with Austria and Israel and a 1-0 defeat to Kosovo. He was benched for the 3-0 away win over Israel, after supporting teammate Gavin Bazunu's decision to withdraw from the squad amid the conflict in Gaza.
Auston Trusty featured in all four games for the United States, starting three, and grabbed an assist in a 4-2 win over Chile. Camilo Duran made his Colombia debut from the bench in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Paraguay, with his brother Hugo saying: "Camilo's call-up to the national team was excellent news for us, something we all always dreamed of."
Kasper Hogh managed just 24 minutes of action for Denmark, drawing a blank in four cameos as his goal drought continues. Sebastian Tounekti was involved in a touchline spat with Botswana's head coach during a 2-2 draw. Haissem Hassan started twice for Egypt in AFCON qualifiers but was left out of the squad for a clash with South Africa. Yang Hyun-jun won gold with South Korea at the Asian Games, avoiding military service, despite playing only one game due to a hamstring issue.
