The number of Celtic games international players will miss and when they would return

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As we all know, Celtic could be missing some of their heavy hitters for the Glasgow derby against Rangers next month.

Indeed, Kyogo Furuhashi could be joined by the likes of Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate for Japan’s crucial World Cup qualifiers. Tom Rogic, meanwhile, is likely going to be off with Australia for their own games.

Everyone has been talking about how these players could miss the game against our arch-rivals. However, it hasn’t been mentioned that there are other difficult-looking games they look primed to miss too.

Japan, for example, will take on China and Saudi Arabia on January 27th and February 1st respectively. That will likely mean those called-up from the Celtic squad will likely play their final game against Alloa on the 22nd before jetting off.

If that’s the case, they’ll miss a tough-looking trip to Tynecastle on January 26th. United will then come calling at Parkhead on the 29th. The game against Rangers, meanwhile, will take place 4 days later.

The same goes for Rogic with Australia. They’ll be playing on the same dates as Japan, meaning Tom will miss the same fixtures.

When can Celtic fans expect their international stars back?

Celtic will make the trip to Fir Park on February 6th against Motherwell. That’s the fixture in which the club and the supporters will be expecting their players to return from international duty.

Granted, whether they’re just thrown into the mix for it would remain to be seen. Firstly, we would be hoping that no knocks are picked up during their time away with their countries. That would be the main priority.

The next game after that would be a similarly-tough trip to Aberdeen on February 9th. It could be the case that they’re saved for that one if they’re still suffering from fatigue upon their return.

The second half of the campaign is going to be a period in which room for error is extremely minimal. Should the Hoops slip up in the opening weeks of 2022, we’ll be in trouble.

That’s what makes these international fixtures so frustrating for supporters. Celtic couldn’t be getting struck with them at a more inconvenient time. Regardless, there will be plenty of expectation even without some of our star men.

Hopefully, we rise to the challenge and make it a successful period regardless.

In other news, “Physical beast”; Australian coach can’t get enough of new Celtic signing Daizen Maeda