Brutally honest Kyogo Furuhashi insists he still has room to improve this season for Celtic.
The Japanese striker has led the line once again this season for Brendan Rodgers’ side amid an impressive campaign domestically and the push for the Champions League knockout stages having bagged six goals so far this season for Celtic. His form for the Hoops has led to the 29-year-old landing a recall to the international set-up after over a year in the wilderness.
However, boss Hajime Moriyasu failed to make it off the bench during the 4-0 win over Indonesia and will now hope to mark his recall to the squad with an appearance in Tuesday’s clash with China. But speaking to Japanese outlet Soccer Magazine Moriyasu was right to leave him out of the clash stating: “I still have a lot to improve on in terms of the number of goals I score, and the national team has been in really good form, so I thought I had to be a player who could make a difference.
“Of course, I’ve been following the national team for a long time. So I’ve been waiting for this day, and that’s why, if I get the chance to play, I’d like to play the kind of football that the national team’s Moriyasu plays and show my strengths.”
Elsewhere, Celtic winger Luis Palma has taken a bullish stance over his future. The Honduran winger netted twice as his side saw off Mexico in the Nations League clash.
But it has been a tough season in Glasgow’s east end for the 24-year-old – who has made just two starts for the Scottish Premiership champions so far this term. That has fuelled speculation over a potential January exit, but he appears to be in no rush to leave the Hoops. Asked about his future by El Heraldo, he said: “Personally, these have not been months as I would have liked, but the storm will pass and calm always comes.”
One man who has already been shown the door at Celtic Park is Gustaf Lagerbielke. The 24-year-old was shipped out on loan to FC Twente last summer just 12 months on from his £3million move from from Elfsborg.
With no option to buy in the deal with Eredivise side, the Swedish centre-back could be heading back to Scotland at the end of his temporary deal. But Lagerbielke has left the door open for the deal to be made permanent, telling Fotbollskanalen: “It is a straight loan until the summer.
“Then there is always the possibility that I will be bought. So far it’s felt very good there so we’ll see how it goes forward.
“There is always that [chance of going back to Celtic]. I still have a contract there. It’s not out of the question at all. Then I’ll have to see closer to the end of the season what happens with everything. But it’s a fantastic club.”