SIXTEEN-GOAL hitman Kyogo Furuhashi returns to the Celtic line-up for this afternoon’s final game of 2021 at Perth against St Johnstone.
The pacy Japanese international striker fired in a double as Ange Postecoglou picked up his first piece of silverware as Hoops boss when Hibs were overcome 2-1 at a rocking Hampden Park a week ago.
However, Kyogo was forced to sit out the disappointing goalless draw against St Mirren in Paisley where his penalty box presence was missed by the visitors.
The team’s talisman is one of five changes from the midweek line-up with Greek keeper Vasilis Barkas making only his second competitive appearance of the campaign while Carl Starfelt comes back into central defence alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Stephen Welsh and Liam Scales also get a place in the back four while James McCarthy comes in for skipper Callum McGregor in midfield with Nir Bitton taking over the captain’s armband.
Five Youth Academy graduates are among the substitutes, including netminder Ryan Mullen, Ben Doak and Joey Dawson.
TEAM: Barkas; Welsh, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Scales; Juranovic, Bitton, McCarthy, Rogic; Abada, Kyogo. Subs: Mullen, Soro, Bolingoli, Dawson, Montgomery, Moffat and Doak.
