Is Ange putting the pieces together for Kyogo’s return?

Ange Postecoglou could arrange a bounce match during the two week break ahead of the April 3 Glasgow derby. 

With David Turnbull back in action against Ross County yesterday Celtic’s injury backlog is down to just one name- Kyogo Furuhashi. 

The striker hasn’t played since a 15 minute appearance away to St Johnstone on December 26. His fitness and rehab timeline has been the subject of much speculation which has intensified after he was spotted in the background at training last week. 

Celtic have coped better than anyone could have imagined without the Japanese striker but that doesn’t lessen the impact and benefits his return would bring. 

Postecoglou has steered clear of predicting when players will be back from injury but arranging a closed-doors match could be the perfect opportunity to ‘get minutes in the legs’ to use the modern reference. 

Speaking to The Herald the Celtic boss revealed: 

There will be a couple like Joe Hart and Cameron Carter-Vickers, who we will just freshen up in the first week. There are others who we will try and get some good work into.

We might try and arrange a bounce game too because there a few there who haven’t had a game for a while.  We’ll look to get some meaningful minutes into those guys and some rest for the others. 

Add in Jota, Tony Ralston and James McCarthy and there aren’t many other first team players left around Lennoxtown during international breaks. 

If opponents can be found for a match over the next fortnight all eyes will be looking out for the first sighting of Kyogo in 2022 as Celtic prepare for a month that will shape their season.