Globe Trotters: International Round Up

Disappointingly, Tim Ream was an used substitute in the USA's thrilling 3-2 defeat to Denmark. It's not all bad though, I suppose, as Tim won't have to trudge back to the Macron with the deep, life altering shame of being a part of a defence which let Lord Nicklas Bentdner score a hat trick. Yes. Bentdner. Hat trick.

On loan midfielder, Barry Bannan, also sat on the bench as he watched his Scottish team mates just about overcome Northern Ireland. Ipswich Town Cirstoph Berra won them the game with a late header.

Conor Wilkinson played 72 minutes for the Republic of Ireland u21s, as they won 1-0 in their qualifying opener against Andorra.

Something of actually note finally happened on Saturday, as Eidur Gudjohnsen started for Iceland, as they beat Kazakstan 3-0 in a Euro 2016 qualify. But not only did he start, he bloody went and scored the opener too! His first goal for Iceland since 2009 - and taking his table topping tally to 25 - he received the ball on the edge of the box, took one touch to outsmart the defender and calmly slotted into the bottom corner with the goalkeeper getting no where near it.

Bulgarian, Simeon Slavchev, got more game time for his country than he has done for his current club so far, as he came on in the 85th minute, just after his team mates conceded a late equaliser which cost them an historic win against Italy, and two valuable points in the qualification race. Bulgaria went behind early due to an own goal, but showed great character to fight back from behind with two excellent goals in quick succession from Popov and Mitsanski. However, an 84th minute equaliser from debutant Eder meant the game finished 2-2. Unfortunately, however, Slavechev will likely miss the rest of the season after he injured ankle ligaments whilst away with Bulgaria.

Barry Bannan finally got on the pitch for Scotland, being introduced to the game when his side were already cruising at 4-1. Despite there being no pressing need to put 100% effort in when three goals to the good against Gibraltar, Bannan did so anyway. Blitzing around the pitch like we've become so accustomed to seeing in a White shirt, and playing some sublime passes. One sixty-yard cross field pass, which set up a chance for Jordan Rhodes, was particularly mouth watering. He also set up Scotland's final goal of the game, and had he been about 6 inches taller, might have got on the end of a audacious over head kick.

Perhaps surprising to some, Adam Bogdan was an unused substitute as Hungary played a no doubt thrilling 0-0 with Greece.

For the first time in my time as a Bolton fan, we turn our attentions to the other side of the world now, to Guyana. As Neil Danns made his international debut in a 2-0 win over Grenada, with striker Pernell Schultz hitting a first-half double.

Love of my life Tim Ream, finally got on the pitch for the USA, but annoyingly he was only brought on in the 89th minute. I like it when Ream gets called up to the national team, he more than deserves it and it clearly means a lot of to him. But it's hard not to get annoyed. Ream has made more appearances for us than any other player this season, 42, so having him travel across Europe to play a single minute of football is an insult. In the game its self, the US did well to hold on for the draw after playing the final 20 minutes with then men, after Jozy Altidore was sent off. Brek Shea had put the US in front with a nice free kick, and Valentin Stocker equalised on the 80th minute. Lee discussed the topic in his latest piece.

Finally, Youngster Georg Illiev played the full 90 minutes at his Bulgaria u21 side lost 3-1 to their Welsh counterparts.