Kyogo Furuhashi is facing at least a fortnight out of action and won’t be included in the Japan squad for World Cup qualifiers on January 27 and February 1 against China and Saudi Arabia.
Earlier today quotes from Japan national boss Hajime Moriyasu were interpreted that the Celtic striker would simply be left out of the squad.
Japan are toiling behind Australia and Saudi Arabia for an automatic place in the World Cup qualifiers with Moriyasu needing to call on every available talent to pick up full points from the upcoming double header.
The squad will be announced on Saturday but with Kyogo not completing a full 90 minutes since December 5 away to Dundee United he seems unlikely to be named in the squad with strict social distancing applied to non-domestic players.
The Sun reports:
CELTIC striker Kyogo Furuhashi looks certain to be OUT of the Old Firm clash next month.
Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu revealed that he WON’T be selected for his country’s key World Cup qualifiers at the end of this month – because of injury.
Those games against China on January 27 and Saudi Arabia on February 1 would have seen Furuhashi likely to miss the Old Firm crunch on February 2.
But Moriyasu said the Celtic star is one of three players he won’t select for the World Cup qualifiers because of fitness concerns.
He said: “Several players will not be able to convene due to injury,” going on to name Furuhashi alongside Japan skipper Maya Yoshida of Sampdoria and Hanover defender Sei Muroya.
On the striker, he said: “It’s a pain for the team, but it’s the most painful for him. He has had to overcome unexpected things to achieve his goal. But we will call in new players.”
Kyogo came on as a substitute against Real Betis on December 9 but then had to be replaced after suffering a hamstring injury.
He returned for the League Cup Final against Hibs 10 days later but was substituted after 83 minutes having scored twice to turn the match Celtic’s way.
The striker missed the midweek draw away to St Mirren then lasted for just 15 minutes of the final match of 2021, the 3-1 win away to St Johnstone on December 26.
CLICK HERE for Kyogo’s stats this season
Celtic had to rely on him to much
With such a a heavy schedule were lucky its a mild injury but could get worst without rest need him back but only 100 percent his goals in cup final showed his technical ability first goal to control ball and gave defender no chance of take and deadly finish and second of his awareness on the park makes him outstanding striker two goals to win a cup final and not win player of month and celtic not to won team and manager of month demean the cup not surprised with way overboard comments on van Brockhurst
Spot on Jack.