Darlington’s dilemma
Dec 4, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Portland Timbers forward/midfielder Darlington Nagbe during a press conference at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in advance of the MLS Cup championship game. Mandatory Credit: Jason Mowry-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters Picture Supplied by Action Images (TAGS: Sport Soccer MLS) *** Local Caption *** 2015-12-04T212624Z_1695341322_NOCID_RTRMADP_3_MLS-MLS-CUP-TEAM-PRESS-CONFERENCES.JPG
Celtic could be walking into a Club v Country row if they sign Washington Nagbe from Portland Timbers.
According to a report in The Sun the midfielder is certain to receive an international recall recall just as Celtic are involved in another period of heavy fixtures featuring five matches in 15 days.
Nagbe fell out of favour with Jurgen Klinsmann but is expected to add to his ten international caps under Bruce Arena whose first match in charge is against Serbia on January 29 followed by another match still to be confirmed.
With Celtic returning from their winter break to face matches on January 22, 25 and 30 plus games on February 1 and 5 there is no way of avoiding a clash.
The US get together and matches aren’t on designated international dates but with a new boss coming in the midfielder will be keen to make a good first impression.
Looking ahead to taking charge of the international squad The Sun reports Arena saying: “Players who haven’t been around in a bit, including Darlington Nagbe will be back in camp. We’re excited about looking at some of these players to see if they’re going to be in a position to help us in 2017.”
Arena won’t be expecting his European based players to make the training camp and matches but after transferring to a club on a different continent Nagbe will be aware that he could lose out on international caps if other home based players impress in his absence.
Celtic are believed to be in advanced talks with Portland Timbers over the transfer of Nagbe.
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