Celtic favourite John Hartson challenges Japan coach over Kyogo snub – ‘Show me a better striker’
CELTIC striker Kyogo Furuhashi is Japan's BEST striker - despite missing out on the latest international squad.
That's the view of former Parkhead hero John Hartson.
He branded the cinch Premiership top scorer's omission from Hajime Moriyasu's squad as 'crazy'.
Midfielder Reo Hatate has also been over-looked for the matches with Colombia and Uruguay but Daizen Maeda is in the friendly squad.
The Blue Samurai coach says the competition in the Scottish top flight was considered when he named his pool - and he's watched every Celtic game this season.
But the decision has shocked Celtic fans - and Hartson.
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The former striker blasted the decision on Go Radio Football Show - and claimed he hadn't seen a better forward for the country's international side.
He said: "I think it is crazy that Hatate and Kyogo are not in the Japan national team.
"You find me a better striker than Kyogo that plays for Japan?
"I know their other striker is at Brighton, but it is crazy."
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The player Hartson refers to is Seagulls ace Kauro Mitoma who has just six goals this term, compared to Kyogo's 27.
Hatate has not been a feature on the international scene - playing just once in a World Cup qualifier with Vietnam last year.
However Kyogo missing the World Cup and failing to add to his 13 caps came as a surprise ahead of the most recent snub.
Meanwhile Barry Ferguson has revealed the best 'all-round' Rangers midfielder he played with.
"I couldn't believe how good he was. Jorg Albertz - amazing midfielder. Gio [van Bronckhorst] - brilliant midfielder.
But Claudio Reyna could play anywhere - whether it was right-back, holding midfielder or number eight or number 10 - he could play on the right side, anywhere.
He was just an all round gifted midfielder. He went to play for Man City and Sunderland when they were in the Premier League.
"I didn't know anything about Claudio Reyna when we signed him for £5m from Wolfsburg - I thought 'who's this, that's a lot of money'.
"Then we saw his quality in training and on the pitch."
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Reyna's son Gio - named after his old Ibrox team-mate - has been selected in the latest Team USA squad for matches with Grenada and El Salvador - however Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers has missed out.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page