Ange Postecoglou has dropped the strongest hint that Kyogo Furuhashi will start today’s Scottish Cup semi-final.
Injury to Giorgos Giakoumakis has opened up one place in the side for today’s match but last Saturday when the former VVV Venlo striker was injured against St Johnstone Postecoglou resisted the option to throw Kyogo on midway through the first half.
The former Vissel Kobe striker did get on for the last 20 minutes but just as crucially has a full week of training under his belt ahead of today’s match.
Kyogo started Celtic’s last Hampden appearance, just 10 days after suffering a hamstring injury against Real Betis, leaving his mark with two brilliant goals that turned the game around to present Postecoglou with his first Celtic trophy.
The Celtic boss had had a week to prepare his side for today’s match, discussing the striker issue, Postecoglou told The Sun:
With Kyogo now, the conservative approach has gone. I was concerned about how we integrated him back into the team in training more than anything else.
With him being out for so long and the team doing well, we didn’t need to rush him back. He’s trained fully the last two weeks and he trains really hard, so he’s ready to play.
Can he last 90 or 120 minutes? No, because he’s not had much football, but he’s ready to play. I’m not worried about him in any sense. He’s now available for selection and I’ll make that decision on the day of the game.
Fans will have to wait until 12.45 for today’s team news.
