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CELTIC'S INTERNATIONAL STARS RETURNING TO STAKE CLAIM FOR RUN-IN

The international break is finally over, and Celtic will return to league action when they make the trip to Almondvale to face the side currently sitting at the foot of the table, David Martindale's Livingston.


There were a number of Celts representing their nations on the international stage, but injuries meant there were less than usual.


Most of the Celts that featured over the last few weeks turned in solid performances before returning to Glasgow to stake their claim for a starting place as the title race continues to heat up.


Here is A Celtic State of Mind's round-up of all the Celts in action during the international break:


Alistair Johnston - Canada


Alistair Johnston featured for Canada in their CONCACAF Nations League Promotion Final against Trinidad and Tobago, and the Reds turned in a comfortable 2-0 victory over their opponents.


Johnston took up a different role, playing on the right of a back three, a position that ACSOM had suggested he be deployed in for Celtic at certain stages of the season.


Keeping a clean sheet, Johnston continued his positive form in the second-half of the season.


Greg Taylor & Anthony Ralston - Scotland


It was a disappointing two friendlies for Scotland as they lost both fixtures against the Netherlands and Northern Ireland.


Taylor would be disappointed not to feature in either of the friendlies, even despite an injury to Andrew Roberson. Anthony Ralston, on the other hand, was given 16 minutes from the bench against the Netherlands, with Scotland collapsing late on with Celtic's right-back being on the park for two of the four goals conceded by Steve Clarke's men.



Adam Idah & Mikey Johnston - Ireland


Ireland had two home friendlies to contend with against Belgium and Switzerland, with Idah getting 20 minutes on the field for the score draw with Belgium and just over half an hour in the 1-0 defeat to Switzerland.


Mikey Johnston also appeared from the bench against Belgium and was given a start against Switzerland, but couldn't carry over his form for West Brom to the international stage.


Paulo Bernardo - Portugal Under-21s


Portugal Under-21s delivered a pair of hammerings to their opponents in qualifying for the European Championships, with Bernardo playing the full 180 minutes against Faroe Islands and Croatia.


He couldn't get in on the goals against the Faroes in the 4-0 away victory, but he scored Portugal's fourth goal in their 5-1 win over Croatia.



Rocco Vata & Bosun Lawal - Ireland Under-21s


Vata turned in a phenomenal performance in Ireland's 9-0 thumping of San Marino, with the 18-year-old taking home the match-ball after scoring a hat-trick.


Lawal played at centre-back as opposed to the usual centre-midfield berth he has adopted at Fleetwood Town, keeping a clean sheet and grabbing the assist for the goal that completed Vata's hat-trick.


Daizen Maeda - Japan


Maeda turned in a solid performance in Japan's World Cup qualifier against North Korea, playing the full 90 minutes in the 1-0 win for the Samurai Blue.



Matt O'Riley - Denmark


Matt O'Riley was given half-an-hour from the bench as Denmark defeated Faroe Islands 2-0 but didn't take to the field for their friendly against Switzerland.


Odin Holm - Norway Under-21s


Holm was brought on for the second-half as Norway defeated the Netherlands 2-1 in friendly action.


He followed that up by getting another half-hour from the bench against San Marino in a European Championship qualifier as they secured a 4-0 victory.


Daniel Kelly - Scotland Under-19s


Kelly started at left-wing in Scotland's 3-1 defeat to Italy, and was moved back to centre-midfield where he played the full 90 minutes once again in their 2-0 defeat against Czechia.


James McKenzie // @JamesWHMcKenzie

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