CONCERNED Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou admits he is taking “a stab in the dark” over whether or not Kyogo Furuhashi will be fit in time for Sunday’s Premier Sports League Cup Final against Hibs.
The Hoops clearly missed the finishing skills, pace and presence of the Japanese striker in their 1-0 win over Motherwell at Parkhead where playmaker Tom Rogic claimed the points-clincher in first-half injury time.
Kyogo, of course, missed the Premiership clash after limping off in the second-half of the 3-2 Europa League Group G triumph over Real Betis in Glasgow three days earlier.
HAIR-RAISING…Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates his winner against Hearts at Parkhead.
Ironically, the 14-goal hitman was only on the field as an emergency substitute for Swiss forward Albian Ajeti who was forced off inside half an hour with what appeared to be a hamstring pull.
Kyogo has no chance of making an appearance against Ross County in Dingwall on Wednesday and it’s touch and go if he will be fit to face the Easter Road side in the silverware showpiece at Hampden.
Postecoglou, who is also without Giorgos Giakoumakis to complete a hat-trick of crocked attack leaders, admitted he is assessing the £4.6million summer arrival from the J-League on a daily basis.
Asked about the player’s chances of playing at the national stadium as he chases his first trophy as Hoops gaffer, he answered: “I could say yes, I could say no. If you ask Kyogo he probably would have played against Motherwell, if you ask the medical team, they would say he’s out for two or three weeks.
PENSIVE…Ange Postecoglou answers questions over Kyogo Furuhashi after the 1-0 win over Motherwell.
“I’m kind of taking a stab in the dark in the middle somewhere, but I’ve no idea. I’ll be guided by the medical team and Kyogo.
“I can’t rule him out for anything at the moment, but you can’t rule him in. We’ll just wait and see.”
Postecoglou, however, does expect Kyogo to be back in the thick of the action to be in place for the visit of Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men in the east end of Glasgow on January 2.
The Greek-Australian, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “Kyogo will definitely be back before the break.
“It’s just a matter of seeing how he feels.”
MATCHWINNER ROGIC AND SAVIOUR HART ARE HOOPS HEROES
