CROATIAN GREAT JOINS FANS IN THE CROWD

MARIO Mandzukic has announced his retirement from international football almost a month after helping Croatia reach the World Cup final.

The 32-year-old Juventus forward scored 33 goals for Croatia in 89 appearances since his 2007 debut.

Mandzukic netted three goals in his team’s run to the World Cup final in July, where it fell to a 4-2 defeat by France.

“There is no ideal moment to retire. If possible, we would all play for Croatia until we die, but I feel this moment has come for me — now,” he said on the national team’s website.

“I’ve given my best for Croatia, As of today, my place is alongside you — among the most loyal Croatia fans.”

Apart from two World Cups, Mandzukic also represented Croatia in two European Championships and was named the nation’s Footballer of the Year in 2012 and 2013.

CELTIC BOW OUT OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

CELTIC was dumped out of the Champions League yesterday — a 2-1 loss at AEK Athens resulting in a 3-2 aggregate defeat in their third-round qualifying tie.

Socceroos playmaker Tom Rogic played 76 minutes and had a 12th- minute effort denied by AEK goalkeeper Vassilis Barkas.

“There weren’t too many opportunities against us but you can’t concede that easily and unfortunately it’s cost us,” Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said.

PAOK ensured further Greek representation, holding Spartak Moscow to a goalless draw in Russia to win 3-2 on aggregate.