It’s not long now until the 2018 World Cup kicks off in Russia. The stadiums have been built, the squads have been picked, the warm-up friendlies have been played, you’ve probably even bought a new TV.

International football can be a definite bore, but this is a tournament that always captures the imagination of football fans everywhere and club business for most supporters will go on hold for a few weeks.

Summer preparations must continue away from the international scene however and for Celtic, the World Cup could presents an excellent opportunity to check out affordable potential signings in action at the highest level.

A strong transfer window is needed at Celtic Park with improvement needed in Europe, key players like Moussa Dembele potentially leaving and a fiercer domestic challenge on the cards too.

So, who should they be looking at in Russia? Which players are both realistic targets and talented enough to make an impression in Scotland?

Here are FIVE World Cup players that the Hoops should be looking at…

Mahmoud Hassan, who goes by the name ‘Trezeguet’ due to a resemblance with the French forward, has had an outstanding season in Turkey, initially on loan from Anderlecht before making the move permanent.

He scored 13 goals and provided 7 assists for Kasimpasa and, able to play on both the left and right wings, would provide serious competition for the likes of Scott Sinclair and replace Patrick Roberts, who returned to Manchester City.

Egypt’s World Cup will undoubtedly be focused around the impressive Mohamed Salah, but Hassan provides a significant goal threat himself and could end up stealing the show for the Pharaohs in Russia.

Reported to have a £4.4m release clause in his contract at the Turkish club, he is also an affordable talent for Celtic and they should be watching closely this summer.

Sardar Azmoun is a name that might be familiar to Celtic supporters given previous links to the Iran forward, the most recent of which came in April.

A regular for Rubin Kazan in the Russian top-flight, he scored five goals and assisted another five in 2017/18 after a spell at Rostov that provoked controversy off the field, with the two clubs squabbling over who held his registration.

His scoring record is more impressive when it comes to international football, netting 23 time in 32 appearances for Iran, playing a crucial role in their qualification for the finals in Russia.

Testing himself against Spain, Portgual and Morocco in Group B, the World Cup is a great chance to see if the 23-year-old has what it takes to shine on the big stage and if Iran do well, he’ll likely be at the heart of it.

With Moussa Dembele potentially leaving and the signing of Odsonne Edouard not yet complete, the Hoops could be in the hunt for a striker and Azmoun could be a fantastic option.

A regular for Udinese in Serie A last season, Danish defender Jens Stryger Larsen primarily plays at right-back, but at the World Cup may feature on the left hand side of defence.

That demonstrates a versatility that could be useful to Celtic next season. The club should be looking for players to provide competition for struggling right-back Mikael Lustig, but also need competent back-up for Kieran Tierney, who was overworked last season.

He may not be the most ambitious in attack but having played against top opposition in Italy last season is well-placed to provide more solidity on the right side of defence, which was a glaring weak spot for the Hoops in 2017/18, especially in Europe.

At 27 years of age he is coming into his prime and is the kind of first-team signing that supporters are craving this summer.

Peru have bigger stars in their World Cup squad this summer, such as Paolo Guerrero and Jefferson Farfan, but Edison Flores could end up being their most effective in Group C.

The South Americans have ambitions of reaching the knockout stages of the competition and with nine goals in 27 appearances for his country, Flores has the kind of goal threat from the left flank that could make that happen.

He netted crucial goals in qualifying for the summer tournament and it could end up being a breakout stage for the attacking midfielder, who plies his trade in Denmark with Aalborg.

His direct goal contribution there is less impressive, but two seasons in Europe means he is now well placed for a move to a bigger club and all eyes should be on him this summer to assess whether he can do it on the big stage.

Like Mahmoud Hassan, he could well end up being effective competition for the out-of-form Scott Sinclair at Celtic.

Just 22 years of age, Michael Murillo is a player with significant potential who could breathe new life into the right-back position at Celtic next season.

A regular with New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer, his form was impressive enough to be named in last season’s CONCACAF Champions League Team of the Year, where his side reached the semi-final stage before exiting to Mexican side Guadalajara.

His Panama side dramatically pipped the United States to World Cup qualification and he is likely to start at right wing-back in a tough group that includes Belgium and England, giving him a great opportunity to impress against established European opposition.

Can he produce the kind of performances that alert clubs like Celtic to his services? He’s certainly one to watch.