It's not often a player finds himself up against a soon-to-be teammate in the same position - but that's exactly what happened when Celtic right-back Josip Juranovic's Croatia met Alistair Johnston's Canada at the World Cup.
It finished 4-1 to Croatia after Andrej Kramaric's double plus Marko Livaja and Lovro Majer efforts eliminated their opponents and put themselves on the brink of last 16 qualification from Group F after Belgium suffered a shock loss to Morocco. Johnston is reported as one player on his way to Glasgow this winter with a fee claimed to be agreed between MLS side Montreal and Celtic, while rumours continue to rumble over whether Juranovic will stay at the Premiership champions.
So this was a perfect chance for Hoops fans to look at what they could lose, but also what they might be gaining come the opening of January's transfer window. Record Sport takes a peek at how both men got on against elite opposition.
Josip Juranovic
The incumbent Celtic right-back was tasked with handling the pacy Alphonso Davies, who left him for dead as he opened the scoring early doors. That seemed to spook Juranovic who was found out of position a couple of times - but he did manage a cracking assist.
Plenty of touches of the ball and was also asked to launch long throws into the box. A good cross in behind which Johnston managed to clear was a precursor for what would follow, a mazy run capped off with a cute ball beyond the Canadian defence for Livaja's goal. Seemed to adjust his game slightly when realising he couldn't beat Davies for pace.
Croatia took control of the second half and with it came a calmer performance from the Hoops' number 88. Five passes into the final third and his one chance successfully created was a big moment. An 81% pass completion rate with six clearances and a sole interception making up for one successful ground duel won out of three. Performances domestically have been lamented on occasion this term but showed his quality here.
Alistair Johnston
There were Celtic traits in the 24-year-old's performance. He looked to step inside wherever possible and was comfortable in dealing with Ivan Perisic on his own. Made a vital block in the first half to stop the Tottenham star fizzing a great cross into the box.
Positionally caught out for the Croatian leveller as a reverse pass in behind the defence left him flat-footed. Andrej Kramaric came out to his flank on occasion and proved a trickier, more direct customer than the technically gifted Perisic.
Started a counter-attack for his opponents with a slack pass that almost proved costly, but he did run into a central position from his own defensive to make it happen. 10 passes into the final third was the most of any Canadian player while he also made four clearances with one interception. Defeated in three of his seven duels on the ground and maintained an 83% pass completion rate.
What did we learn?
It is very clear to see why Johnston is a target for Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou. He likes stepping inside as an inverted full-back, a trademark of the Aussie's Parkhead system.
He also seemed confident in 1v1 duels, which when up against a player like Perisic, isn't easy. He got his fair share of blocks and his first instinct when looking up was who was ahead of him.
For the man he currently had to displace - for now - it was initially a tough shift. Alphonso Davies gave him and the rest of his defensive peers a torrid time in the first half.
But redemption came in the form of a stunning assist for the second Croatian goal and he grew from there. Both seem to have an emphasis on attack which perhaps isn't too much of a surprise in terms of profiles the recruitment team in Glasgow's east-end have been picking up.
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