FORGOTTEN Celtic defender Cristian Gamboa reckons opting to play for Costa Rica has hampered his Celtic career.

The defender hasn’t featured for the Hoops for a single minute this season, despite making 21 appearances for Celtic last term.

Gamboa decided to play for his country at the Gold Cup in the summer instead of representing Celtic in the Champions League qualifiers.

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And, after helping to clinch Costa Rica’s qualifying place at the World Cup in Russia next year after a draw against Honduras, the full-back admitted his career at Parkhead has stagnated.

He said: “I decided to represent my country at the Gold Cup tournament this summer.

“Unfortunately, I think this has had career consequences for me at Celtic. Not doing pre-season with Celtic has proved to be very expensive for me.

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“There are decisions made by other people who pick the team and it is not in my hands.

“Apparently, playing at the Gold Cup was not taken in a good way at my club and I have had to wait to play again.”

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And Gamboa may have even more explaining to do before the World Cup Finals...he has promised he will dye his hair red, white and blue, a notion that may not endear him to the Parkhead faithful.

Costa Rica star Christian Bolanos said: “Myself, Bryan Oviedo and Cristian Gamboa have made a bet and have agreed if we qualified we would dye our hair red, white and blue.

“A bet is a bet and we all agreed it has to be done.”