‘STRANGE BUSINESS’: EX-CELT’S VERDICT ON DOUBLE SNUB

KRIS COMMONS believes Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu is “being disrespectful” to Celtic after snubbing Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate.

The Hoops double-act were overlooked for the forthcoming friendly internationals against Uruguay and Colombia, as CQN reported last week.

Kyogo and Hatate were also snubbed by Moriyasu for his squad for the World Cup Finals in Qatar in November and December although their club colleague Daizen Maeda has been involved in both player pools.

I’LL BE BACK…Kyogo Furuhashi takes a rare breather in the 3-1 win over Hibs at the weekend.

It’s a mystifying situation, especially with the striker on fire this season with 26 goals to his credit – including the double that won the Viaplay League Cup last month – and the midfielder performing at a higher level than ever before.

Unfortunately for Hatate, his surge stalled at the weekend when he was forced off early in the 3-1 win over Hibs at Parkhead with David Turnbull replacing him in the 13th minute.

Former Celtic and Scotland midfielder Commons said: “The continued absence of Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate from the Japan squad is a strange business.

“They are two of the best players in Scotland and will probably be the two frontrunners to win the Player of the Year awards.

BY THE RIGHT…Reo Hatate fires in a powerful shot in the Viaplay League Cup semi-final success over Kilmarnock at rainswept Hampden in January.

“So, when Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu questioned the overall quality within the SPFL as a reason for leaving them out, it didn’t really add up.

“Not when Daizen Maeda is being picked. Maeda is a good player, but he’s not on the same level technically as either Kyogo or Hatate.

“The Japan boss is entitled to his opinion.”

Commons, writing in his Daily Mail column, added: “I actually wouldn’t argue with him in terms of the overall depth of quality throughout the league.

“The gap between the Old Firm clubs and the rest is as big now as I can ever remember and it’s only getting bigger.

“But I DON’T see that as a valid reason to leave out two of the very best players in the league.

“It’s disrespectful to them, first and foremost. It’s also disrespectful to Celtic and the brand of football they have been playing under Ange Postecoglou.

“If their continued omission means Kyogo and Hatate will be able to rest and be fresh more often, then Japan’s loss will very much be Celtic’s gain.”