KYOGO OUT FOR ‘A NUMBER OF WEEKS’

Furuhashi would sit out the clash with Rangers on February 2. However, it now appears that the 27-year-old’s absence could go way beyond that date. ‘Kyogo’s injury is more significant than we were hoping it would be and he will be out for a number of weeks. It’s not going to be a quick return,’ said the manager. ‘I don’t know how long and don’t want to put a time frame on it. ‘Mainly because of Kyogo himself, plus we are still getting him assessed and we need it to settle before we get a definitive answer on it. ‘But he will be out for a number of weeks and that is disappointing for us and also Kyogo. ‘Hopefully we will get some clarity. There are still some things they want to see, if it settles down, but we are looking at a number of weeks at this point. ‘He loves playing for this club and can’t wait to be back out there.’ Postecoglou shot down rumours that the striker’s injury was so severe that he might not play again this term. ‘He’s not out for the rest of the season,’ he stated. ‘I can assure you of that.’ Asked how his star man was coping with the setback, Postecoglou said: ‘Kyogo is really disappointed and I feel for him because he put his body on the line for us. ‘He wasn’t 100 per cent for the cup final but he scored two goals and helped us win it. ‘That is testament to him as a player and a character. ‘A lot of people would have taken a different option, so I am gutted for him. ‘Kyogo did all he could for this club and I am hoping that, because he got the rewards for that cup-final performance, it’s enough to sustain him through this period out. ‘He deserves to come back better than ever — and he will. ‘Kyogo is that type. Whatever time frame is put on his recovery, he will beat it. ‘He is such a determined person

and he loves playing for Celtic. The fact he can’t go out and perform is hurting him but we will provide him with support. ‘I am sure whatever recovery time is needed, he will do his best to be back as soon as possible.’ Kyogo’s setback won’t see Celtic rush back into the transfer market, with Postecoglou confident he has the depth of squad to cope. ‘We have already brought in Daizen (Maeda), and (Giorgos) Giakoumakis is also fit now,’ he said. ‘It feels like we have two new player. ‘Giakoumakis was a victim of us having to do things in a rush in the summer. He missed preseason, he came in late, then picked up a couple of injuries. ‘We have bolstered our frontline with two new players, so I am comfortable with that area. ‘We also have James Forrest back after a disrupted first half of the season, we have a bit of depth there.’ Postecoglou was learning this morning if he will be missing any more his Japanese players when Moriyasu names his squad to face China on January 27 and Saudi Arabia on February 1. Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi have been capped in the past while Reo Hatate has yet to win full international honours. ‘The squad will get announced at about 5am on Saturday morning,’ said Postecoglou. ‘We are awaiting official confirmation but they (Maeda and Hatate) will both be in the frame... thanks to you blokes in the media! Their good performances against Hibs got publicised in Japan. ‘It would nice if you started writing they had shockers! We’ll wait and see what the squad is.’ Tom Rogic’s call-up for Australia’s games with Vietnam and Oman has been confirmed, with the midfielder missing the Rangers game as expected. ‘I’m not disappointed,’ insisted Postecoglou. ‘He’s selected for Australia because he’s a helluva player. I’d be disappointed if he wasn’t selected.’