RANGERS and Celtic faced anxious waits in February as some of their key players were on international duty on the other side of the world.
Joe Aribo headed home earlier than expected after Nigeria were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations by Tunisia in the last 16, while Celtic’s Daizen Maeda made a stunning return from Japan to feature off the bench.
They’ve got a few more days on their hands this time around, but what players are furthest away from Glasgow? Here we reveal all.
Celtic
Reo Hatate
Celtic’s Reo Hatate is in line to earn his first international cap for his country, after impressing Japanese manager Hajime Moriyasu. The Japanese star has made an impression since arriving in January from Kawasaki Frontale, scoring some vital goals against Hearts at Tynecastle and a double against Rangers at Celtic Park.
Japan travel to Australia before hosting Vietnam – 5,700 miles from home.
Giorgos Giakoumakis
The big centre-forward took some time to find his feet at Parkhead after an injury-plagued start to life in Scotland but finds himself in red-hot form at the moment. He scored his 11th goal in all competitions at the weekend with an impressive hat-trick against Ross County – his second inside the last month.
He’s been recalled to join John van 't Schip’s Greece side ahead of their two friendlies at home to Romania and away to Montenegro – 1,849 miles from Glasgow.
Josip Juranovic
Juranovic has become a fans’ favourite at Celtic Park and the full-back is off to Doha with Croatia as they play friendlies against Slovenia and Bulgaria.
Ange Postecoglou may not be too pleased, but more training in the sun isn’t all bad news for the Croatian – 3,479 miles from Glasgow.
Rangers
Kemar Roofe
Roofe wasn’t part of the international fold last time around as he focussed on regaining his fitness at Rangers.
He’s ready to go this time around, though, and Jamacia have a busy week ahead as they play three matches in seven days against El Salvador, Canada, and Honduras.
It’s an important week for Roofe as well, as he tries to make his way back into the first-team fold under Giovanni Van Bronckhorst. It’s also vital he stays injury-free – something he didn’t manage to do last time he went away with the Reggae Boys.
It’s a lot of travelling for Roofe and a long-haul trip to Glasgow ahead of the derby – 5,040 miles.
Alfredo Morelos
It’s understandable that Rangers fans were left frustrated by Morelos’ last international involvement as he didn’t play a single minute for Columbia. That meant that he was unable to play for Rangers in the last derby against Celtic and his presence was certainly missed that night.
There’s no doubt that he will be available this time as his country host Bolivia on the 24th of March before travelling to Venezuela a few days later – 4,794 miles.
Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey and Leon Balogun
The Rangers trio have all been called up for the Nigeria squad next week as the Super Eagles look to put their disappointing exit from the AFCON behind them.
Gernot Rohr’s side have a double-header against Ghana – firstly away from home in the Cape Coast before the second fixture in Abuja – 4517 miles.
Borna Barisic
Rangers’ Borna Barisic will join up with Celtic rival Josip Juranovic in Doha for Croatia’s two international friendlies.
Similarly, to Juranovic, it’s an opportunity to train in the hot weather, reset and kick on for the remainder of the Scottish Premiership season - 3,479 miles from Glasgow.
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