CELTIC’S talisman Kyogo Furuhashi faces a race against time to lead the champions in Saturday night’s Scottish Cup Final against Inverness Caley Thistle at Hampden.
The 33-goal striker limped off early in the second-half after scoring a duble in the opening period of the Hoops’ 5-0 Flag Day trouncing of Aberdeen in the east end of Glasgow.
Kyogo was involved in an accidental clash with keeper Kelle Roos as he chased down a passback in typical wholehearted fashion.
PARADISE…Kyogo Furuhashi is in with a shout as he leads the Celtic title party along with keeper Joe Hart after the 5-0 rampage against Aberdeen.
The 28-year-old fans’ favourite was forced to call off from picking up his Player of the Year award from his fellow-professionals at a gala dinner in Glasgow last night.
Ange Postecoglou, who was named the Manager of the Year, accepted the honour on his player’s behalf.
The Celtic boss, speaking to the Scottish Sun, admitted: “I don’t think it’s anything serious with Kyogo.
“I’ve spoken to the medical guys and we’ll see how it settles down.”
HAMPDEN HERO…Kyogo Furuhashi nets the first of his double in Celtic’s 2-1 League Cup Final victory over Ibrox opposition on February 26.
It’s a similar situation to the countdown to the League Cup Final against Hibs in December 2021 as Postecoglou chased his first silverware as the replacement for Neil Lennon after arriving six months earlier.
Kyogo was struggling with a ligament problem, but played against the Easter Road men and scored two superb goals in his team’s 2-1 comeback victory.
The Japanese ace then broke down early the following weekend in the 3-1 win over St Johnstone in Perth on December 26 – and was sidelined for FOUR months before coming back and scoring in the 2-0 win over Ross County in Dingwall on April 24.