CELTIC fans could be given an intriguing glimpse into the future if Kyogo Furuhashi and reported target Daizen Maeda team up for Japan’s forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.
The Hoops striker, whose double in the 4-2 win over Dundee at Dens Park on Sunday hoisted his goal tally to 13, is expected to play a key role in the away games against Vietnam on Thursday and Oman a week today.
Maeda, who was signed for Yokohama F Marinos by Ange Postecoglou, is hoping to get the nod to return to the international team for the first time in two years after shooting to the top of the J-League scoring chart with 21 strikes.
IN THE AIR…Kyogo Furuhashi leaps high to fire a header into the Dundee net for his first goal at Dens Park.
ON THE GROUND…Kyogo first-times in a left-foot drive for his second and Celtic’s fourth goal in the 4-2 win.
The pacy frontman thumped in a hat-trick in his team’s runaway 8-0 romp against FC Tokyo at the weekend and that is the sort of penalty-box prowess that has seen him linked with a reunion with his former boss, as CQN reported last month.
Maeda, speaking to the Daily Record, admitted: “Kyogo Furuhashi is doing extremely well and scoring goals in Scotland it would be nice to play with him.
“But the most important thing for us is to get six points from these two very difficult away games.”
Kyogo will be aiming to add to his three international goals this week when he wins his eleventh cap for his country.
Japan are in dire need of back-to-back victories as they sit joint third alongside Oman on six points in their section after four games.
Saudi Arabia are top with a 100 per cent record on 12 points, three ahead of Tom Rogic’s Australia.
