Ange fears a long wait for Furuhashi

ANGE POSTECOGLOU last night admitted it could take two weeks for new signing Kyogo Furuhashi to set foot inside Celtic Park.

On Friday, Celtic announced the acquisition of the Japanese striker on a four-year contract, but yesterday the 26-year-old turned out for selling club Vissel Kobe, scoring on his farewell J1 League appearance.

The process of securing a

work permit and arranging a medical for the £4.5million striker is now underway and there is also the prospect of a ten-day quarantine once he arrives from the amber-listed country.

Manager Postecoglou handed a debut to new £3.5m winger Liel Abada in yesterday’s friendly defeat to Preston.

However, three days out from his team’s Champions League qualifier against Midtjylland, the Australian admits he is frustrated at the time it is taking to sign players and get them to Scotland.

‘If we could get on a plane, go over there and do the signing then we’d all be taking photos and unveiling him here today,’ said Postecoglou.

‘Unfortunately nothing happens like that any more. It’s not just about signing players, it’s how we can get them in.

‘It’s a ten-day to two-week process so that’s the challenging part at the moment.’

Postecoglou offered no news on the pursuit of Swedish defender

Carl Starfelt nor Celtic’s reported right-back targets — with the Rennes pair of Brandon Soppy and Sacha Boey mentioned alongside Antwerp’s Aurelio Buta.

Kristoffer Ajer missed out yesterday ahead of an anticipated £13.5m transfer to Brentford.

‘I can’t afford to waste time on anyone other than the ones who are here and committed to being here,’ added the manager.

Postecoglou added that James Forrest, recently identified as a Covid close-contact, is unlikely to be risked against Midtjylland.