Japan boss gushes over Celtic impact of Kyogo and Daizen Maeda on national side as he names Brazil secreat weapon

Celtic stars Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda have earned international praise as they prepare to face Brazil.

The pair did not feature in Japan's starting XI who faced Paraguay, but both did manage to see some match action coming on from the bench during their country's victory.

And now the may well have earned their spot with Brazil Japan's next opponents.

The pair look likely to start with head coach Hajime Moriyasu giving special mention to the Celtic stars in the build up on his side's next encounter.

The Japanese boss said: “Brazil have many wonderful players, but so do we.

"We have players in great shape like Furuhashi who has now scored 20 goals for the season with Celtic and Maeda too.

"They are two very quick players and we know that opponents dislike that. I want to make use of their speed as a Japanese weapon.”

What's more, the clash could give the pair the opportunity to weigh up a few faces they could come across in the Parkhead side's Champions League adventure.

Alex Sandro of Juventus, Marquinhos of Paris Saint-Germain, Thiago Silva of Chelsea and Dani Alves of Barcelona all started for Brazil last time out as they thrashed South Korea 5-1.

All four players will be in the Champions League draw alongside Ange Postecoglou's men on August 25 and are potential opponents from both Pot 1 and Pot 2.