EASTERN PROMISE
Celtic hero Kyogo Furuhashi’s Japan wait finally over after more than a year as fans pray for safe return of key trio
Some big matches await shortly after the international break
KYOGO FURUHASHI'S Japan wait is over - after the Celtic striker earned a recall to the national team for the first time in more than a year.
The Hoops frontman is included in the Japan squad for the matches against Indonesia and China later this month, alongside his Parkhead pals Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate.
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All three have been in excellent form this season - not least as they combined to great effect during the 3-1 Champions League win over RB Leipzig on Tuesday night.
And with Feyenoord standout Ayase Ueda out with injury, it's a no brainer for Kyogo to return to the fold for the first time since scoring against Tunisia in October.
It's a well deserved accolade for the player - but Brendan Rodgers will have his fingers crossed for the safe return of the trio, particularly perhaps Kyogo, a man for whom the Hoops quite simply don't have a like for like replacement.
With Japan's two away matches scheduled for Friday and Tuesday, it's then back to domestic duty for Celtic on the Saturday night as they face Hearts at Tynecastle.
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There then follows a potentially massive Champions League clash at home to Club Brugge, where a win would all but secure the Hoops' qualification for the knockout stages.
Ironically, Kyogo has perhaps been in better scoring form at other points in his Hoops career and not been called up.
But while he may only have six goals in 15 appearances in all competitions, there's little doubt how much of a threat he still poses.
One fan wrote on social media: "About time Kyogo gets called up."
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Another wrote: "Maeda ,Hatate and Kyogo called up for Japan, nae injuries please lads."
The Manchester City signing video that had panicked Celtic fans convinced Kyogo had already made transfer move
A third wrote: "He's waited til Kyogo isn't scoring every week to call him up."
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page