Josip Juranovic has admitted "he feels for" fellow Celtic team-mate Daizen Maeda after Croatia defeated Japan on penalties to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

The Hoops forward scored in normal time to give the Samurai Blue the lead before the 2018 finalists equalised in the second half.

Extra time could not separate the two teams and so the fixture had to be decided on penalties, with the Croats winning the shootout 3-1.

While Maeda had already been subbed by this stage, he could not hide his emotions at the final whistle as he burst into tears on the pitch.

Juranovic was pictured consoling the Japanese forward and giving him a kiss on the head.

 

Speaking to Sportsmail after the match, the former Legia Warsaw man said: "Daizen is my friend and I congratulated him because he scored a goal in the World Cup and that is every player's dream.

"But I also felt sad for him because he was crying. Football is about sportsmanship and I gave him a little kiss.

"He is such a good friend of mine and had such a good World Cup with Japan.

"I feel sad for him but happy for Croatia. We made history tonight and now I have something I can say to my sons in the future that I did something beautiful."

Meanwhile, the Scottish champions have been handed a boost in their pursuit of South Korean World Cup hero Cho Gue-sung after his father advised him to go to a club that suits his style after revealing transfer negotiations are almost complete.

The Hoops have been linked with the Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors striker, who bowed out of the Qatar tournament this week after South Korea were battered by Brazil.

Fenerbahce and Rennes have also been linked with the 24-year-old and his dad, Cho Chae-hwan, was interviewed in his homeland's television channels about what the future holds for his son.

He said: "The advice I have given my son is when he signs for a team abroad, go to a club that can play the way he likes, rather than choosing a club because they are a big name.

"He needs a club that will help him adapt and settle down to a new lifestyle on and off the pitch.

"I know his agent is in the process of finalising negotiations regarding his transfer overseas. He will certainly go to Europe."

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