Expert verdict on Celtic star duo joining Premier League club after confirmed news
Frank McAvennie has suggested a move to the Premier League wouldn’t make an international call-up more likely for Celtic stars Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Hoops striker said the Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu is “off his head” for leaving out the pair from Japan’s upcoming games.
On Wednesday (15 March), Moriyasu confirmed his squad for the national side’s upcoming Kirin Challenge Cup games.
Hoops midfielder Daizen Maeda was included after an impressive World Cup in Qatar for his national side but Hatate and Kyogo were left out once again.
As relayed by Everything Celtic (15 March), Kyogo has scored more goals than the other Japanese strikers this season with 26 goals across all competitions, 11 more than the second highest scorer Shuto Machino.
On 12 March, Football Insider revealed that the Hoops are pulling out all the stops to keep hold of Kyogo ahead of the summer window.
When asked if the pair could be tempted by a move away from Celtic for the chance of an international call-up, McAvennie told Football Insider: “I don’t know, I just think their manager is off his head, I do not get it.
“You see talent and think you would be a star in the Premier League. From what I know, what Hatate is doing is second to none and Celtic are getting all the plaudits.
“Although they got battered in Europe they were still getting praised. Scottish football is different, you get more time on the ball in England. But that makes you a better player.
“I just think the manager must have one hell of a team. Everyone is raving about Hatate and Kyogo and the fans will not be happy if Japan do not start winning and they are not picking those two.“
In other news, according to sources, ex-Celtic midfielder could quit Man City for French club.