Sheringham on the World Cup's Big Losers, Scotland's Chances, Messi's Farewell, and Who Should Lead Celtic

Teddy Sheringham has first-hand experience of what it feels like when your nation misses out on the World Cup . He was in America for the 1994 World Cup as a fan after England failed to qualify, and he watched on as the Republic of Ireland and their supporters made the tournament their own. Speaking to BOYLE Sports , he reflected on those memories and explained why their absence this summer is such a loss for the competition.

He also gave his assessment of Scotland's chances in a tough group containing Brazil , Morocco , and Haiti , and looked ahead to whether Lionel Messi can repeat his 2022 heroics with Argentina four years on. Sheringham was fortunate enough to attend the 2022 World Cup final and spoke with real emotion about what he witnessed that night.

To round things off, Sheringham gave his verdict on Wrexham's chances of pushing on from the Championship and identified the man he wants to see take charge at Celtic next season. His answer on the Celtic job came without hesitation.

World Cup 2026

Ireland's Absence

Ireland have got to be bitterly disappointed to miss out this summer, especially when the World Cup has expanded to become bigger than ever. It must be even harder to have missed out on this one, but they have just got to aim to make it to the next one, because Ireland and their fans always add something to the competition whenever they qualify.

I was out in America for the 1994 World Cup when England did not qualify. I am good mates with Tony Cascarino , and he got me a couple of tickets, and the atmosphere was something else. The Americans love the Irish , and the Irish fans made it such a fun place to be, so it is a shame we will be missing that from the World Cup out there this year.

Can Scotland Cause Upsets?

Scotland have got Brazil , Morocco , and Haiti , and that is not an easy group. Morocco are a tough opponent, and they did so well at AFCON . Brazil are Brazil . You would expect Scotland could beat Haiti and then maybe nick a draw somewhere else. That can get you into the next round this summer. They have definitely got the experience and quality in their squad now. Steve Clarke has been in the job for a long time, and he knows his players.

We know about Scott McTominay , but John McGinn , as well, is very good on the ball, will help them retain possession, and I do not think that has always been something Scotland teams of late have been great at doing. When I think of Scotland teams during my career, they always had a lot of desire and tenacity, but sometimes you have got to have a bit of guile too, and McGinn and McTominay certainly give you that, especially McTominay playing in Italy , where he has developed and learned so much.

Oli McBurnie is not in the squad, is he? He could have been a real curveball to throw at teams. I think you have got to have players like that in your squad to change games, especially at a World Cup . If Scotland have any chance to get him out there, I hope they take it.

Can Messi Do It Again?

I was lucky enough to go to the World Cup final in 2022 , and Lionel Messi was sensational that night. It was a work of art every time he touched the ball. He did not go haring about all over the pitch. He just found space, and his touch was phenomenal.

You do not lose that, no matter how old you get, and his awareness on the football pitch was just amazing. I was so glad I was there to see it for myself. I am sure he is still performing like that week in, week out for Inter Miami now too, and long may it continue. Can he do it again with Argentina this summer, four years on, four years older? I would probably say no, but if he has got the right players around him again, who knows?

Ronaldo's Future

Could Cristiano Ronaldo play into his 50s at this rate? It would not surprise me when you look at his body at 41. He is still as fit as a fiddle. He has had his own training team for the past 15 years to keep him in top shape, and as long as he still has the desire, then he will keep going, but it is tough when you get to that age, getting out of bed every day to go and do your training. I am sure he still loves what he is doing, and he is playing in a league that is obviously not as strong as other competitions around the world, but if you are still scoring goals and people still want you to play, then why not keep going?

He has an air of invincibility around him, and he has got the body as well and the fitness, so I think we have got plenty of years of Ronaldo to come yet. Can I see him coming back to Real Madrid to play under Jose Mourinho again? Definitely not. He will not be coming back to Europe . He might go to America , though, if he wants to experience something else. You could see that, and he would certainly light MLS up like no one else can.

Wrexham

Wrexham's Next Step

Can Wrexham make it to the Premier League next season? You never know. I think they have done unbelievably well to get to where they are now in the Championship . It might have actually been a step too far for them to go straight up into the Premier League this season. I know that it would have been an incredible story to get promoted again, but it is better for them to consolidate and enjoy where they are, competing at this level for two or three years.

I know Phil Parkinson very well and his assistant Steve Parkin , and they are both fantastic workers, and they have the desire. They are perfect for the football club with their work ethic, and it is not easy to keep moving forward to stay where you are in the Championship . We have seen so many teams make one big push only to suddenly find themselves in fourteenth or sixteenth place the next season, and they are struggling all of a sudden. I am sure the Wrexham owners know that in the Championship , you need to keep moving forward to stand still. They are better off building their strength until they can push on into the Premier League with a chance of staying there.

Celtic

Next Celtic Manager

Next Celtic manager? It has got to be Robbie Keane . His name was on the tip of my tongue the minute I heard the question. He has been around Europe . He has done well. He has been working in Israel and Hungary for a few years now. The question is whether he would want to come back so soon when he is out there gaining his experience in other countries.

I am sure Robbie is already on Celtic's radar, whether it will be to offer him the job now or in the future. I just think it is a shame Martin O'Neill does not want to carry on, but he did look tired at the end of the cup final at the weekend. He looked shattered. It takes a lot out of you being a manager, doesn't it not? I do not know if the time is right for him now, but Robbie Keane will be Celtic manager one day.

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