CELTIC have three stars of the Japanese national team within their ranks.
But only one has been named in the country’s team of the year for 2024.
Daizen Maeda has been on top form for Celtic this season[/caption]
Reo Hatate has been a regular in Brendan Rodgers’ midfield[/caption]
Since NAge Postecoglou took over in 2021 the Hoops have raided the Asian transfer market to great success[/caption]
Daizen Maeda picked up nine caps this calendar year – as well as a domestic double in Scotland.
Reo Hatate matched his trophy haul and made his tenth appearance for the Blue Samurai in November – his his fifth of the year.
But it’s their Hoops team-mate Kyogo Furuhashi who has been nominated by his country’s PFA.
The Parkhead ace has not been at his prolific best so far this season, but has still managed to score eight goals for his club in 24 appearances this term.
And he was named in the Team of the Year by the Japanese Professional Football Players Association Awards for 2024.
The team is named from the domestic and overseas Japanese players who are members of the country’s PFA.
It’s the third time Kyogo has been named in the team and he joined the likes of Ko Itakura from Borussia Monchengladbach, Arsenal ace Takehiro Tomiyasu, Liverpool‘s Endo Wataru and Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma – last year’s overall player of the year.
The Celtic striker netted a total of 17 goals since January and that was enough to earn him a recall to the Japanese national team earlier this year.
Furuhashi has the same number of caps as Maeda but only played ONCE this year – a 13 minute cameo against China on November 19.
He has fallen out of favour with Blue Samurai boss Hajime Moriyasu who gave him his international debut against Venezuela five years ago.
He has fallen out of favour with Blue Samurai boss Hajime Moriyasu who gave him his international debut against Venezuela five years ago.
Kyogo was Ange Postecoglou‘s headline signing when he arrived in Scotland in summer 2021, but 18 months since the Australian boss left for Spurs he too has been linked with a Parkhead exit.
Manchester City were reportedly weighing up a sensational switch in the closing stages of the summer transfer window.
Now Atlanta United – with former boss Ronny Deila newly appointed as manager – have been linked with a swoop for the Hoops’ fan favourite.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
