‘Reo and Kyogo are strong and will bounce back’

somebody within the organisation would have notified them. They are both strong, determined characters. ‘Nothing is going to stop Reo from being the best footballer he can be. Kyogo… his nature never changes, mate. ‘He is always smiling, always happy. He loves what he does and that won’t change. But it is good motivation for them. They both have a World Cup in them if they miss out on this one. ‘I’m disappointed for them but both of them are really strong characters. They will take it in the right way and it will motivate them to ensure they play their football to the best of their ability and those opportunities will come again.’ Furuhashi’s exclusion was the biggest surprise, with Bochum attacker Takuma Asano winning the nod despite scoring just one goal for his club this season and playing his last game on September 10. Currently recovering from an injury, Asano could yet drop out if he fails to prove his fitness, with Furuhashi on the stand-by list. ‘Every country has an extended list, so there is always that possibility if there are any injuries between now and then that they can change it,’ said Postecoglou. ‘Kyogo is probably on that list. Whether they call him up, you don’t know.’ Responding to the suggestion that the omission of both players might work in Celtic’s favour in the second half of the season, the former Australia boss added: ‘No, I don’t see it that way. Going to a World Cup is an unbelievable experience. ‘As a manager, you have competed against the world’s best and been in that atmosphere and you want more of it. I don’t see it that way. It would have been great for them to be there.’ Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley will learn on November 7 if he has made the cut for Denmark’s World Cup squad. Admitting tonight’s clash with last season’s Champions League finalists is a chance to force his way in, the midfielder said: ‘There’s a chance that I will go and there’s a chance that I won’t. I’m not exactly sure what will happen. ‘I think I have performed pretty well throughout this season, so this is another chance to add to the foundations I have built and, if all goes well, I go.’ Postecoglou (pictured), meanwhile, plans to exploit his knowledge of the Japanese market once again by sealing a deal for 22-year-old central defender Kobayashi. ‘We’ve had some plans in place for January for a while now,’ added the Celtic manager. ‘Hopefully over the next few weeks we will be able to conclude some of that. The whole idea is to make this squad stronger for the second half of the year.’ Emphatic winners in Livingston on Sunday, victory came at a price. Captain in the absence of the injured Callum McGregor, Carter-Vickers pulled up sore after the 3-0 win on the artificial surface at the Tony Macaroni. ‘He’s just come back from a knee injury and he’s got a bit of soreness,’ reported Postecoglou. ‘He should be all right for the weekend. He’s one of the few who has played every game, so we’ve got to be conscious of that and with the short turnaround we felt it was best we left him at home for this one. ‘Look, at a stretch I could have played Cameron in this game. But I just think, with three important games next week, we should leave him at home.’ Swede Carl Starfelt could be pitched in for his first start since the 4-0 win over Rangers on September 3 after recovering from injury. ‘He’s trained fully and is ready to go,’ said the manager. ‘So he’s got an opportunity.’