World Cup exactly what Cristian Gamboa needs to escape Celtic

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Today saw Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata named in the World Cup squad for Belgium this summer. He now joins several other Bhoys stars in attending the tournament. Mikael Lustig will be there with Sweden whilst Tom Rogic will travel with Australia.

But it is not only Celtic regulars who have received the call this summer. Cristian Gamboa, who cannot get a look in at Parkhead, is also on his way to Russia. The 28-year-old is a vital member of the Costa Rica squad hoping to emulate the success they had four years ago when La Sele made it to the quarter-finals.

His performances in that competition led to a West Brom transfer and, eventually, to Celtic in the summer of 2016.

But he has struggled to play regular football since heading north of the border. His time in Glasgow has largely been spent on the sidelines. This season has been particularly barren.

The Costa Rica player has played just three times for Celtic this term. His last appearance came in the 0-0 draw with St Johnstone in February.

So what next for the Celtic misfit?

This summer’s World Cup could not have come at a better time for the defender. Gamboa has barely been given a chance since leaving Rosenborg after the last World Cup, so it was always going to be difficult for any manager to take a risk on him.

However, this summer he is likely to be a starter for Costa Rica, who take on the likes of Brazil, Serbia and Switzerland in Russia this summer. Gamboa cost Celtic a fee reported to be around £1 million two years ago. It was not a massive investment and he has provided adequate cover. But the player himself must now be itching for some more regular first-team action.

If he can put in some good displays for Costa Rica in Russia this summer, Celtic might be able to make some profit off a player who has never truly felt like part of the furniture.