The dream may have died for Josip Juranovic and Croatia - but the Celtic defender will depart Qatar safe in the knowledge his star shines brighter than ever.
A relative unknown when Ange Postecoglou plucked him from Poland, the right-back has proven himself a real bargain in what's been a hugely successful 18 months for the Parkhead side. But players still too often fly under the wider radar when they're doing the business in the SPFL, and it takes something more to introduce them to a bigger audience. In that respect, the World Cup could not have been better timed for Juranovic, who has been an impressive performer in his nation's run to the semi-final.
Argentina and, in particular, an inspired Lionel Messi, proved one hurdle too far for Zlatko Dalic's underdogs as they went down 3-0 at the Lusail Stadium. But it was in the last eight that Juranovic's defining moment came. The defender turned in the type of all action display that Celtic fans already know too well as Croatia shocked Brazil. So good was Juranovic, Brazil manager Tite opted to hook an ineffective Vinicius Jr, and the cry from supporters was that a few extra million had been added to the transfer fee it appears Celtic will look to negotiate for him.
