Celtic pub insists Japan flag remains despite council ordering removal due to 'WW2' complaints

A popular Celtic pub in Lanarkshire has refused to take down a Japan flag from its roof despite reported complaints.

The Cross Keys in Wishaw erected the tribute to the Parkhead side's four stars from the Far East.

Kyogo Furuhashi was an instant hit upon his arrival from Vissel Kobe in August.

And in recent weeks Reo Hatate has been the pick of the bunch from the trio that made their way over from the J-League in January.

Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi were also part of that triple signing and the boozer paid tribute last month with the Hinomaru.

Some local residents, however, were said to have complained that it was an "insult" to Allied troops that died fighting the Axis powers in World War Two.

And North Lanarkshire Council confirmed they had received complaints earlier this week.

But in a bizarre twist to the row pub staff, replying to a story by the Daily Mail insisting the flag HAD been removed, matter-of-factly informed them that wasn't the case.

Replying on Twitter, the Cross Keys account simply wrote: "No we haven't."