CELTIC striker Kyogo Furuhashi WILL be available for Ange Postecoglou as he prepares for four crucial encounters after the turn of the year.
There were concerns the 14-goal hitman would be called up for Japan’s Asian World Cup qualifiers against China and Saudi Arabia and a friendly against Uzbekistan.
That would have kept Kyogo out of the Scottish Cup opener against Alloa on the weekend of January 22/23 plus the Premiership games against Hearts at Tynecastle on January 26, the home match against Dundee United three days later and the trip to Motherwell on February 5.
DANGERMAN…Kyogo Furuhashi will be available for Celtic after the turn of the year.
However, Japanese manager Hajime Moriyasu has decided to name only players from the J-League for the international triple header.
Postecoglou’s reported January targets Daizen Maeda, the Yokohama F Marinos striker, and Kawasaki Frontale left-sided defender Reo Hatate are included in the 22-man squad, but both will be released from duty for their country if they move during the transfer window.
The Japanese boss, as reported in the media outlet The Mainichi, said: “I’m really looking forward to managing the Japan team made up of domestic players.
“I want them to show there are still many good players waiting in the wings.
“Hopefully, we can make people feel that Japan has more squad depth and got stronger.”
All of this, of course, is good news for Postecoglou who was forced to do without the services of Kyogo for five games after the pacy frontman sustained a knee injury in a World Cup meeting with China in early September.
