Confirmed: Kyogo Returns to Japan Squad as Maeda and Hatate Make the Cut

Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi has returned to the Japan national team fold, receiving his first international call-up in a year.

Hajime Moriyasu confirmed his squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Indonesia and China overnight, and Kyogo, along with his Hoops teaMMAtes Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda, made the cut.

It comes after the centre-forward’s respectable start to the season, during which he has contributed to nine goals across 15 appearances in all comPetitions for his club.

Furuhashi will look to build on his 21 caps when he goes away with the Samurai Blue this upcoming break.

The striker’s club teaMMAte, Maeda, is usually a regular for Japan, whether off the bench or from the start, but the same cannot be said for Hatate in midfield.

Moriyasu has called up the 26-year-old in the last two international breaks but has not given him any minutes. Hatate will be hoping his standout performances against Aberdeen and RB Leipzig in Celtic’s last two matches, though, catch the eye of the Japan boss.

The midfielder has caught fire at the perfect time, and he, along with Furuhashi, will look to break into Moriyasu’s team and make an impactful mark.

First up, however, is a trip to Rugby Park this Sunday, where Celtic must win once more to maintain their strong position at the top of the Scottish Premiership.