Marcelo Saracchi reveals Celtic rotation cost him Uruguay World Cup place | OneFootball

Marcelo Saracchi has revealed his lack of regular starts at Celtic contributed to him missing out on Uruguay’s World Cup squad — despite describing his time at the Hoops as an “incredible experience”.

15th February 2026; Rugby Park, Scottish Premiershipl, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Marcelo Saracchi of Celtic on the ball. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

The 28-year-old spent last season on loan at Celtic and helped Martin O’Neill’s side complete a memorable league and Scottish Cup double before returning to Boca Juniors.

Saracchi has since completed a move to Houston Dynamo, but his successful spell in Glasgow was not enough to earn him a place in Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay squad.

The left-back made only eight league starts for Celtic, with a further 11 appearances coming from the bench as O’Neill rotated him with Kieran Tierney.

Saracchi has now revealed Bielsa specifically cited his lack of minutes when explaining why the 11-cap international had missed out.

Saracchi said via The Herald: “My last experience at Celtic was truly incredible, especially winning the league so late in the season.

“And my challenge in the MLS is to try and repeat that success.

“I wasn’t enjoying my time at Boca Juniors and luckily, the loan to Celtic came about, where I was able to showcase my skills and play.

“Part of the reason I went to Celtic was to perform well and go to the World Cup.

“But what happened at Celtic was they rotated the team with me and the other left back at the club.

“When Marcelo Bielsa contacted me to say I wasn’t going to be part of his squad, he told me that part of the reason for that was because I didn’t have the most minutes on the pitch, so I completely understood what he told me.

“But Celtic was an incredible experience.

“I would obviously love to return to playing for Uruguay one day. I’ll always fight and work to return to the national team.”

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