Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou was today left extremely frustrated as he continues to be asked about the fitness of Kyogo Furuhashi ahead of tomorrow night’s clash with Rangers.
Postecoglou had already definitively ruled the Japanese international out of tomorrow’s game before today’s pre-match media presser. After the Scottish Cup win at Alloa a couple of weeks ago, Ange stated that it wouldn’t be a quick return [Daily Record].
Ange then stated over the weekend that he has a similar type of hamstring injury to the one which is keeping David Turnbull out. Yet another sign that Kyogo won’t be making a return anytime soon.
But today he was again asked about the injury, and it’s clear he’s finally had enough of the questions. In a clip posted on Twitter by the Go Radio Football Show, Ange but back at the media for continuing to ask questions they already know the answer to:
“I said Kyogo was weeks away, I’m not a liar. Let’s be clear about that, I don’t want to be asked every week. I said weeks away a week ago. Weeks means weeks.
“He’s got a similar injury to David Turnbull as I’ve already said and he’s been out for – you can do your own maths – so I’m not going to give exact timelines. But there’s no point asking me about Kyogo every week because nothing’s going to change.
“He’s out for a few weeks. And once we get closer to it you’ll see him out training and we’ll go from there.”
Ange Postecoglou sick of tiring Kyogo questions as Celtic prepare for Rangers
It’s one of those bizarre things about the Scottish footballing media. The manager has made it clear that Kyogo won’t be back for some time. Why, then, they feel that there’s an update to be had is anyone’s guess.
When Ange says that a player is out for weeks, it’s illogical to expect a different answer 1 week later. Especially when the player hasn’t been training all week either and clearly has no chance of making tomorrow night’s game.
It must be frustrating for the manager to consistently have to bat these questions away. It’s happened more than once this season and it’s clearly gotten to Postecoglou. He’d had enough of it today.
Celtic know what their attacking options are going to be tomorrow night. Giorgos Giakoumakis will almost certainly lead the line. Daizen Maeda, meanwhile, will hopefully be back on the bench. But that’s all we’ll have available in terms of out and out strikers.
Kyogo clearly isn’t going to be fit for the trip to Fir Park on Saturday either. The same goes for next midweek’s trip to Aberdeen. If he’s asked about the Japanese talent again before those matches, goodness knows what his reaction will be like.
But he rightly ran out of patience with them today. It’s the same poser being put to him at every press conference despite him providing very clear updates over the last couple of weeks.
In other news, Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou delivers Callum McGregor status ahead of Glasgow derby
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