Celts head off to represent nations in the Asian Cup | OneFootball

This week the Celtic first-team squad will return from their well-earned break over the winter shutdown, however not everyone will be back in attendance in Lennoxtown.

On Friday, the AFC Asian Cup begins, as the continent's biggest and best nations go head-to-head to crown a champion.

This year's games occur in Qatar, with the host nation and defending champions opening the tournament against Lebanon before the other 22 nations begin their journey.

And there will be plenty of interest from a Celtic perspective with five of Brendan Rodgers' squad over in Qatar and here we look at those that may feature.

JAPAN

Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate have been selected for the Japanese squad as they look to claim their fifth Asian Cup.

The most successful country in the tournament's history, Japan reached the final of the most recent edition in 2019 and are in a group with Indonesia, Iraq and Vietnam.

Maeda experienced tournament football with Japan in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, scoring in their last-16 penalty defeat to Croatia, while Hatate is looking to feature in his first senior international tournament.

SOUTH KOREA

Hyeongyu Oh and Hyunjun Yang have both been called up for South Korea as they look to end a 64-year wait for an Asian Cup title.

South Korea have been notable figures in FIFA World Cups in recent memory but in the Asian Cup, their only successes came in the first two editions when they lifted the title in 1956 and 1960.

Last reaching the final in 2015, South Korea are in a group with Malaysia, Jordan and Bahrain.

AUSTRALIA

Marco Tilio is the other Celt called up for action, as he gets set to represent Australia.

The winger was on the bench for Australia in their four FIFA World Cup games in Qatar in 2022 and he will be hoping to help add the Socceroos second Asian Cup title after their triumph in 2015.

To do so they will need to navigate a group with Uzbekistan, Syria and India.

The tournament begins on January 12, with the final taking place on February 10.