Expert drops ‘huge’ Kyogo Furuhashi claim after confirmed Celtic news
Frank McAvennie has insisted the tour of Japan and South Korea will be “huge” for Celtic.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Hoops striker said that the tour of his home country could give Kyogo Furuhashi the chance to force his way into the national team.
Last week (2 May), the Celts confirmed that they will be embarking on a pre-season trip to Japan this summer for a week-long stint.
The Hoops also confirmed (3 May) a trip to South Korea as part of the summer tour where they will face Wolves in the Suwon World Cup Stadium.
Alongside South Korea international Hyeongyu Oh, the Glasgow club have five Japanese players within their ranks.
Speaking to club media, Ange Postecoglou said he is keen to bring Celtic’s “long-standing connection with Japan” to life on the tour this summer.
But McAvennie suggested it may be “weird” for the Japanese fans to see the ability of the players’ left out of the national team.
“Worldwide Celtic are huge anyway,” he told Football Insider.
“There were a lot of Celtic supporters in Japan already because of [Shunsuke] Nakamura but not like now.
“I think it is going to be weird because the Japanese boys are not playing for the national team.
“Everyone will come out to see them over there and they will see how well they are playing and wonder why they are not in the national team.
“The likes of Kyogo should have been in the team anyway. Everyone has heard of Celtic but this trip won’t do them any harm.“
In other news, Celtic fear Postecoglou has already decided to join Premier League club.