Following a successful start to the season for Celtic, Kyogo Furuhashi will now be travelling with the Japan national squad.
Celtic is soaring in the Premiership and aiming for the top eight spots in the Champions League thanks in large part to the 29-year-old.
After a year, Kyogo was called up to the Japan side, despite coach Hajime Moriyasu’s prior disregard for the Celtic star.
Even though Kyogo participated in the Champions League, won the double last season, and scored goals for joy at Parkhead.
His nation has continued to ignore him, excluding him from both the just finished Asian Cup and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Although one of Celtic’s most valuable assets is healthy and ready to play, his performances merit far greater attention.
Now, however, Kyogo is travelling with his club colleagues Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda for the Japan internationals, and Stephen McGinn is wondering why he has experienced this.
Is Kyogo Furuhashi the target of resentment from Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu?
According to McGinn, he is “delighted.” Kyogo was called back because it was a move he deserved, and Celtic supporters will concur.
However, as McGinn mentioned, Rodgers will also be “delighted” that Callum McGregor, the now-retired Scotland international, will be taking some time off, he told Go Radio.
Japan will play China on November 19 after travelling to Indonesia on Friday for a World Cup qualifying match.
McGinn, who was perplexed by Kyogo’s treatment, asked, “You always wonder, did the manager have something against him or his style of play?” Kyogo will be looking to help his team hold onto their top rank.
McGinn remarked, “I am fairly certain he will be thrilled not to lose his captain for the doubleheader for Scotland.” Even while we would really like to see him play for Scotland, I have no doubt that he is content to take some time off after his recent efforts, particularly against Leipzig.
“At this point in the season, you are completely focused on domestic affairs. European products. If you could combine (the international breaks), I’m not sure. Particularly with players like Celtic available. They will play with more than just Sweden. They’re travelling all over the world. three times in a row.
“All three of the Japanese players in the team are excellent, notably Kyogo. He has always seemed to be the one who is left behind, in my opinion. At the Champions League level, he is doing well. You can’t help but wonder if the management disliked him or his style of play. At the international level, how could they have three or four better strikers? You are undoubtedly thrilled that he has received the promotion he so richly deserves.
Kyogo’s Celtics season-long stats
You wonder if Japan’s manager Moriyasu has taken notice of Celtic’s dominance in the Champions League.
Kyogo contributed to that incredible victory against Leipzig and has already scored six goals this season across all competitions, with many more to come.
His overall achievements were rated slightly below seven by WhoScored, with the Champions League alone receiving a very good rating of 6.69.
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