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.
The problem with setting a bar that high, mind you, is that it was probably always going to be difficult to maintain. After a cagey opening half hour with little of note to report on, Argentina twice carved Croatia, dominant until then, wide open. Juranovic, it must be said, didn't exactly cover himself in glory trying to stop Julian Alvarez for the second, albeit neither did his opposite full-back team-mate Borna Sosa as they both fluffed their lines trying to tackle the Manchester City forward. Going forward, he wasn't quite able to deliver the same impact as the previous round, although perhaps he can take that as a compliment as Argentina paid him greater defensive attention than their South American compatriots did last week.
Maybe it was the Celtic man's lack of minutes that proved his undoing, after Ian Wright claimed pre-match that he can't get a game for his club because of Anthony Ralston. Not quite sure about that one, Ian, to be honest with you. It is a fair assertion, however, that he may not rack up many more in a green and white jersey. There's been persistent speculation around Juranovic's future, fuelled further by Ange Postecoglou suggesting players could leave post-Qatar and by the arrival of Canadian right-back Alistair Johnston. Having Juranovic, Ralston and Johnston all competing for one position would be a tad excessive, even for Celtic's hectic schedule, and it's the former most likely to move on. As popular as Juranovic has become with fans, Postecoglou wants the club to be "agile" and "aggressive" in the market, which also involves selling at the right time, as well as investing.
At 27, Juranovic has hit his prime years and that virtuoso display against the Brazilians caught worldwide attention. It's a World Cup tradition for there to be a handful of players catapulted into a big move and the likelihood is this is Juranovic's time. He endured a trickier evening against Messi and Co. but it's highly doubtful any potential suitors are now considering putting their money away. In Juranovic, they'd be getting a full-back who can do a bit of everything. His natural instinct is to go motoring up the flank attacking space, but he's also proven adept at slotting into Postecoglou's preferred inverted full-back role. He's a quick, tenacious defender, and can even step up to take a penalty, if required. Quite how high he can go is up for debate, but he's done enough for club and country that should see Celtic make a sizeable profit on the bargain £2.5m they paid Legia Warsaw in August last year.
Compare and contrast with his Glasgow compatriot, Borna Barisic, who spent the majority of the tournament watching on from the bench. The Rangers left-back played second fiddle to Sosa throughout, his only appearance coming against Japan in the last 16 with his team-mate unavailable. And yet it was not so long ago that it was Barisic being linked with the lucrative transfer that seemingly now awaits Juranovic. Previously persistent rumours of interest from the likes of Roma have long since died down, and as he passes 30 and enters the final 18 months of his deal, it appears any chance Rangers had of cashing in big on a previously very saleable asset has slipped away.
Celtic, too, have been guilty of this in the past; getting far less for the likes of Odsonne Edouard, Kristoffer Ajer and Ryan Christie than they otherwise could have. Reading between the lines of Postecoglou's pre-World Cup transfer comments points to a manager, and a club, who would rather that did not happen again, so long as such players can be adequately replaced. Celtic have already done that by adding Johnston before Juranovic has even departed. It's perhaps why the majority of fans seem comfortable with the idea of him leaving, which hasn't always been the case in Glasgow's east end.
Nothing is certain, of course, but it feels safe to assert Juranovic would go with their best wishes.
