Kyogo tipped for international call-up as tactical change opens the door for Celtic striker

By Patrick Sinat

April 24, 2023

As Kyogo Furuhashi nears the 30-goal mark for Celtic this season, the Japanese striker is being tipped for an international recall this summer.

Former Japan international Masakiyo Maezono has said that a tactical change by Hajime Moriyasu means that the Celtic striker could return to international duty after being previously snubbed by Hajime Moriyasu.

Maezono said [The Herald], “I think Kyogo Furuhashi will be back in the squad for sure and deservedly so.

“I think in the past when Hajime Moriyasu did call up Furuhashi, it didn’t really work. He wasn’t able to find a suitable position for him.

“But he is now trying out new tactics and he will want to look at him in a new position. He is trying to play two players up front and that will suit him.

“Until last year, the system was 4-2-3-1. By switching to two up front, I have high hopes for Furuhashi.

“Expectations are very high for him and I am certain he will return to the national team for the games against El Salvador and Peru in June.

“He is definitely worth another chance.”

Moriyasu caused a bit of a stir in the last international window when he left both Reo Hatatae and Kyogo out of the squad for Japan’s last international friendlies against Uruguay and Colombia.

Citing the standard of the SPFL as the reason for their exclusion, the Japan boss then caused further confusion by continuing to pick Daizen Maeda.

Kyogo currently has 16 caps for Japan and his last appearance for his national side was in a 0-0 draw against Ecuador where he played just 45 first-half minutes.

Japan will kick off their participation in the Kirin Cup against Peru at the Suita City Football Stadium on the 20th of June.