Celtic action has been put on hold as the international break gets underway.
For some Celtic fans, it is a time to take a backseat view of football for a few weeks. For others, it’s a time to adopt country colours. For Brendan Rodgers, it’s a time to get to work on the training pitch.
The Hoops are already coming up in the international headlines after both Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston withdrew from Scotland training ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
The qualifiers will be crucial for Steve Clarke and his Scotland side as they look to qualify for a first World Cup since 1998.
For Wales, however, the task is to make back-to-back World Cups having qualified for the tournament in Qatar in 2022. The man looking to do that has his own Celtic connections – and is earning plaudits along the way.
Simon Jordan sings ex-Celtic man Craig Bellamy’s praises for Wales form
Craig Bellamy may have only spent six months on loan at Celtic in 2005, but fans still talk about his impact on a post-Henrik Larsson squad to this day, despite the league season ending in agonising fashion.
Now working as a manager, Bellamy has lost just once in ten matches with Wales, having previously worked under Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht and Burnley.
Speaking on Talksport, Simon Jordan – a man not easily impressed – spoke highly of the former Hoops striker, saying: “I like the fact that he’s very passionate. I didn’t always agree with Craig back in the day when he was a player, but I liked him when I met him and I’ve done television shows with him.
“He’s not going to solve any medicine puzzles, but who is? What he’s done with the Welsh is reinstate some pride and belief, and I’m really pleased for him.
“He had a difficult period of time where he had to come up against a couple of controversies, and he’s had to adapt his management style, but he’s learned a lot working under Vincent Kompany.”
Unlike Scotland, Wales do not have any competitive matches in this September’s international break. They have two friendlies this week, against a Canada side which will be without Alistair Johnston, as well as England.
Other Celtic figures involved in September international break
Scotland will face Denmark on Friday night in the opening match of Group C in UEFA World Cup qualifying on Friday.
The encounter would have seen Tierney and Ralston potentially face up against teammate Kasper Schmeichel in a showpiece match in Copenhagen.
Former Celt Matt O’Riley, who recently completed a move to Marseille, will also be on the opposing side, as well as recent top striker target Kasper Dolberg.
Another two local Celtic players gearing up for international action are Liam Scales and Johnny Kenny, who are preparing for qualifiers against Hungary and Armenia with the Republic of Ireland.