KYOGO FURUHASHI and Celtic are still awaiting results from his shoulder scan to determine the amount of time he could be on the sidelines.
The 22-goal Japanese striker was removed from the action after only 14 minutes in the 5-1 Scottish Cup fifth round win over St Mirren at Parkhead on Saturday.
It looked like a recurrence of the problem inflicted in the 4-0 Glasgow derby romp in September when Kyogo was forced off after a few minutes following a wayward challenge from John Lundstram.
DOWN – BUT NOT OUT…Kyogo Furuhashi hits the desk after hitting the opening goal in the 3-0 win over Livingston.
The pacy attacker is almost certainly OUT of the Premiership encounter with Aberdeen at Parkhead on Saturday where Ange Postecoglou may choose to give South Korean powerhouse Oh Hyeon-gyu, who claimed his debut goal against the Paisley Saints, his first start.
Alternatively, the manager could do what he did at the weekend and introduce Liel Abada on the right, switch Filipe Jota to the opposite flank and put Daizen Maeda through the middle.
It worked well against Stephen Robinson’s men with the Japanese speedster scoring the breakthrough strike only 90 SECONDS after his compatriot Kyogo went off.
The first piece of silverware of the campaign is up for grabs against Michael Beale’s Ibrox team when the holders defend the League Cup – now in the guise of the Viaplay Cup – at Hampden a week on Sunday.
WELCOME TO PARADISE…Oh Hyeon-gyu is congratulated by Sead Haksabanovic after his debut goal for the club in the 5-1 Scootish Cup win over St Mirren.
Hoops goalscoring great John Hartson admitted he would take a chance on Kyogo, who has claimed 42 goals in his Hoops career after joining from Vissel Kobe in July 2021. That takes into account the four months he spent out of the side with knee and ligament trouble last season.
The Welsh legend, speaking to The Go Radio Football Show, said: “If he [Kyogo] doesn’t make it, you’re looking for different options. Oh looked decent, he looks a strong runner.
“Ange obviously believes in him, he hasn’t got a lot wrong in terms of his recruitment. Ideally you want Kyogo back for big games.
“Aberdeen at home, and obviously the Cup Final where you want to put your full strength team out against Rangers.
“But do they risk Kyogo? If he’s anywhere near fit, he starts, he’s worth the risk.”
The situation will become clearer once the scan results are revealed.
