KYOGO FURUHASHI faces being out of football for FOUR months as he attempts to overcome his persistent shoulder injury.
The Japanese hitman was forced off in the 74th minute of last weekend’s 2-0 Premiership win over Hibs at Easter Road and he was missing as the champions beat the Edinburgh side again yesterday, this time 3-1 in the Premier Sports League Cup at Parkhead.
Countryman Daizen Maeda took over as attack-leader and netted a first-half double with Nicolas Kuhn chipping in with a third after the interval.
Brendan Rodgers admitted he will leave the decision to Kyogo over an operation to finally bring an end to the problem that has dogged the player for years.
GAME OVER…Kyogo Furuhashi looks distraught as he is helped off the Easter Road pitch last weekend.
The Hoops gaffer watched his team win through to a home quarter-final clash with Falkirk next month and, looking at the Kyogo situation, revealed: “He’s had this issue for a long time – since long before he came to Celtic.
“It’s something he had in Japan and he’s managing his shoulder – and from time to time it gets a little bit irritable and sore.
“He could have surgery on it, but that probably takes him out for about four months. It’s only him who can decide that, because you can see that a lot of times he gets through games fine.
“But then sometimes he’ll fall and maybe it’ll be awkward and he has an irritation.
“He’s a 29-year-old man, so he’ll understand what he wants to do.
“But it’s something he’s managed for a long period, much longer than he’s been at Celtic.
“We could’ve had him back into the game, but I gave him time to miss it and rest and I’ll speak to him tomorrow.”
Reflecting on the impressive performance of deputy hitman Maeda, Rodgers, speaking to the Scottish Sun, added: “I know Daizen can play as a striker.
HOOP, HOOP, HOORAY…Daizen Maeda acknowledges the Celtic fans after the first of his double against Hibs in the 3-1 Premier Sports League Cup win at Parkhead.
“I’ve said it before – he’s played in the World Cup as a striker, so he should be able to play for Celtic as a striker if we need him.
“The last time he played as a striker for me, he scored a hat-trick in Yokohama [in a pre-season friendly in 2023]and they were all fantastic goals.
“He showed that instinct at the goals we scored against Hibs, the first one getting to the first post to finish and then the run in behind to penetrate the space, it’s what I always want in my strikers.
“So I know that he can play there, but I know his best position or his favourite position is on the side.”
There was a warm welcome, too, for £9.5million recruit Adam Idah who replaced Maeda on the hour mark.
It was clear the Republic of Ireland powerhouse, who had previously played only half-an-hour of competitive football for Norwich City, is short of match fitness.
However, there is every opportunity he could be in at the start when the Hoops take on St Mirren in the Premiership in Paisley on Sunday.
