Striker aims to be worth his wait in goals for Japan

KYOGO FURUHASHI has welcomed his recall to the Japan squad, vowing to repay coach Hajime Moriyasu in goals.

Both Kyogo and Reo Hatate have been drafted in alongside Celtic team-mate Daizen Maeda for Japan’s Kirin Cup games against El Salvador and Peru next month.

Previously capped 16 times, Kyogo admits he’s keen to impress after missing out on recent squads, most notably the one that competed at the World Cup in Qatar last year.

‘First of all, I appreciate the coach calling me up to the squad,’ he said. ‘I have to understand what they are asking me to do within the team.

‘After all, I want to perform to pay back the support of everyone, play very well and impress using my experience.

‘No matter the style of play at the end of the day I am striker and so I have to score goals. I want to keep working hard to score for Japan.

‘It’s an honour to play for the national team and it helps me to represent my country.

‘It’s a great opportunity to be an idol for all the children. Even to play for Celtic is great for this but representing the national team allows me to express what I have.’

With two years left on the contract he signed when joining Celtic from Vissel Kobe in 2021, Kyogo also insists he is in no hurry to leave.

A second prolific season in Glasgow has attracted admirers in England and beyond.

He added: ‘All the players here want to stay as long as they can, and I am one of them.

‘But, at the same time, I cannot think too much about the future. You have to concentrate on a daily basis on the training pitch. Hopefully I can stay and give everything I have.’