Kyogo Furuhashi Speaks From Japan Camp Upon International Return

Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi thinks his experience of playing in the Scottish Premiership can help him score for Japan in their upcoming fixtures.

The electric frontman was recalled to the national team setup for the first time in a year by Hajime Moriyasu this month and could get an opportunity as the Samurai Blue face Indonesia today and China next Tuesday.

Having not been in and around Japan squads for a significant period, Kyogo will be desperate to prove to Moriyasu why he should get consistent call-ups.

Speaking ahead of his country’s upcoming games, Kyogo outlined his desire to make his mark and seize an opportunity he’s been waiting patiently awaiting: “I am very happy to be returning to the national team, and I want to make my mark again,” said the striker (The Herald).

“Against a team like Indonesia, I think the Game will suit me because I am used to playing against teams like this with Celtic.

“They will eventually lose concentration, and it’s up to me to use my attacking movement to take advantage of it.

“At my club, the opponents really mark me closely, but I can use that to my advantage by receiving the ball at my feet and using my teammates around me.

“Personally, I still have a lot to improve on in terms of the number of goals I score for Celtic.

“And the national team have been in really good form.

“Of course, I have been watching them closely, and I have been waiting for this day for a long time, so that’s why, if I get the chance to play, I’d like to perform the kind of Football that the manager wants us to play, and I want to show my strengths.”

Although he hasn’t been in his typically consistent goalscoring form this season, Kyogo has been performing adequately for Celtic, hence his call-up.

The frontman can adeptly link the play and contribute to his side’s overall Game – he isn’t a typical, old-fashioned number nine.

As the 29-year-old and his fellow club teaMMAtes Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda prepare for a key duo of World Cup qualifiers over the next few days, Celtic fans will cover their eyes and pray no one gets injured before the Hoops embark on what has been described by Brendan Rodgers as an ‘ultramarathon’ fixture schedule.