Celtic players aren’t just vying for places in Martin O’Neill’s side.
The World Cup approaching in North America next summer will be an added incentive for a number of O’Neill’s current players.
Japan were the first non-host nation to secure their qualification for the tournament, giving boss Hajime Moriyasu plenty of time to prepare for the tournament.
And he’s spending that time wisely, being spotted in attendance at Celtic’s 4-2 win over Utrecht on Thursday.
He even took his seat right next to Reo Hatate in the main stand.
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Celtic man Reo Hatate sits with two World Cup bosses at Celtic vs Utrecht
Hatate will doubtless be frustrated with the timing of Moriyasu’s visit, given that he was suspended for the clash after being sent off against Bologna.
But the chance to meet his international boss will have been a small consolation.
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It has been almost a year since Hatate last appeared for the Samurai Blue; he was last called up for qualifiers against Bahrain and Saudi Arabia last March.
Given the form of those being preferred to him, the midfielder faces an uphill battle to be on the plane to the tournament.
Someone with more momentum in their push for a place is Yang Hyun-Jun, whose form has been a revelation in recent months.
Korea boss Hong Myung-bo was also in attendance, watching Yang, who hasn’t appeared for his country since last June.
It may be a bit late, but he is surely a stick-on to appear in their friendly against Austria in March, given his form both domestically and in Europe.
Scotland and Tunisia will also likely have Hoops representatives at the tournament, along with host nations, the USA and Canada.
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Martin O’Neill on Celtic man Daizen Maeda
Daizen Maeda has a stronger chance of making Japan’s squad, currently regularly starting for Moriyasu’s side.
Asked about the prospect of him leaving after his bombshell revelation last summer, O’Neill said: “Will Daizen hang around? I don’t know what’s happened since.
“There’s little point in me saying he’s really happy and wants to stay and then tomorrow morning he’s gone.
“I think there was a little bit of disappointment that the move didn’t go through to Wolfsburg I think in August time?
“If you’re asking me, I’d love him to stay.”
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