Ange Postecoglou states Kyogo Furuhashi will ‘100 per cent’ be in the Celtic squad that hosts St Johnstone after blocking his return from injury last week, via the Glasgow Times.
Furuhashi has not featured for the Hoops since Boxing Day after suffering a hamstring tear at McDiarmid Park. The £4.5m summer signing from Vissel Kobe developed the issue after just 15 minutes at Saturday’s opponents in what was his 14th Premiership appearance yet.
The 27-year-old established an instant leading presence at Parkhead following his arrival in the off-season. He had also shown himself as one of the best players in Scotland by scoring 16 goals and five assists across all competitions in 26 games, striking eight in the top-flight.
Postecoglou has managed to cope without Furuhashi during the Celtic striker’s injury with Giorgos Giakoumakis stepping up to the plate. The £2.5m summer signing from VVV-Venlo has struck 11 of his 12 goals for the season so far in 2022 after a difficult start in Glasgow.
Kyogo Furuhashi will ‘100 per cent’ be in Celtic squad, states Ange Postecoglou
Tom Rogic and Cameron Carter-Vickers also hit home in last week’s Old Firm derby to beat Rangers 2-1 at Ibrox. Postecoglou admits Furuhashi was fit for the Gers clash, but elected against the 12-cap international playing as he carefully plays the Celtic star’s injury return.
“He was fit last week,” Postecoglou said. “In the end, it was a judgement call on my behalf to maybe be a little bit conservative with him.
“He’s trained all week, I was keen on him to have a full week of training [first]. He’s right to go. He will be involved tomorrow, 100 per cent he will be part of the squad.”
Despite not playing since Boxing Day, Furuhashi remains Celtic’s top-scorer so far this term across all competitions. Liel Abada has offered Postecoglou’s side the next most with 14 in 48 appearances, ahead of Giakoumakis (12 in 23) and Benfica loanee Jota (10 in 33) so far.
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