Kyogo Furuhashi was left behind and frustrated as Celtic team-mates headed away on international duty. Behind the constant smile, Ange Postecoglou could feel the disappointment in his hitman.
But the shock snub has no chance of stopping red-hot Kyogo from taking his vibrant positivity into Celtic’s run-in. And it also won’t stop Postecoglou from welcoming Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu back into Lennoxtown to talk shop.
Kyogo had 11 goals in the bag before the World Cup. It still wasn’t enough to convince the national coach of the Blue Samurai.
Since Qatar, he’s hit another 15 including two in a Viaplay Cup Final. Yet still Moriyasu was unmoved. The Japan boss suggested the strength of the Scottish Premiership was behind his decision to omit Kyogo and Reo Hatate, despite naming Daizen Maeda in his squad for the last camp.