Brendan Rodgers has responded to bizarre events involving Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi being mistakenly announced as an Atlanta United player due to a clerical error.
In one of the strangest stories 67 Hail Hail have covered in recent years, the MLS website released an article saying Furuhashi was ‘acquired’ by Ronny Deila’s side before they swiftly removed the content.
Expectedly, they backtracked and apologised for falsely announcing the Japan international as an Atlanta United player. Despite this reassurance, there is still curiosity as to where the story came from as a standalone, even if Cayman Togashi ended up moving to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Thickening the plot, Furuhashi has attracted recent interest from Atlanta United. The Stateside were said to be considering a £10 million offer this month to test the resolve of Parkhead chiefs.
Cultivating a scenario that has confused even those with their ear to the ground, Brendan Rodgers has now answered the question on everyone’s lips.
- READ MORE: Brendan Rodgers offers Celtic squad update ahead of Ross County with two key stars doubtful
What Brendan Rodgers has said about Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi
Speaking ahead of Celtic’s trip to face Ross County, the Bhoys manager made it clear Furuhashi will travel to Dingwall tomorrow and put recent events down to ‘gossip and speculation’ that is part and parcel of the transfer window.
He said: “I can guarantee he’s on the coach, and he’s travelling to Ross County, so he’s certainly not in the MLS.
“Listen, you know in this period of time there’s always lots of gossip and speculation around so many players, and especially talented players.”
“So I’m sure that will continue to be the case over the coming weeks.I actually only knew about (the announcement debacle) five minutes ago, so I was a wee bit surprised.”
Celtic may need Furuhashi to play unfamiliar role vs Ross County
Furthering a strange few days, Celtic have just one fully fit natural winger to face Ross County after Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn emerged as doubts for the clash.
James Forrest is sidelined due to a problem he has had since the Premier Sports Cup final, while Luis Palma misses out through a bereavement.
Hyunjun Yang is nailed on to start out wide tomorrow. However, Celtic will need to put a square peg in a round hole on the other side. Luke McCowan has played as a winger during his career, but Furuhashi may be an alternative candidate after spending time on the wing in his early days at Parkhead.
Hopefully, it doesn’t come to that and he can feature through the middle, though the Bhoys are really being stretched at the moment due to knocks.
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