John Hartson brands Celtic duo's Japan snub 'crazy' and challenges coach to find him a better striker than Kyogo

John Hartson has insisted it is "crazy" that Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate have not been included in the Japanese squad for their upcoming fixtures.

The former Celtic striker questioned the head coach Hajime Moriyasu after he excluded the Parkhead pair from Japan's 26-man squad for home friendlies against Colombia and Uruguay later this month. Daizen Maeda, who starred for the Japanese in the Qatar World Cup last year, has retained his place in the squad.

Moriyasu said the pair were omitted from the squad due to the quality of the league Kyogo and Hatate were playing in. However, he did give them a slice of good news when he told reporters: "As I think we all agree, (Hatate and Furuhashi) would absolutely be able to contribute to the team, but this time I wanted to try out some different players and that's why they weren't selected. I've watched all of Celtic's games and seen what they've accomplished and their presence in the team."

He added: "But there's no bar to clear to be called up, it's a comprehensive decision. We think about the level of the league and various other factors when making the decision."

Hartson believes the Japan manager may have point with the level of the league but said the pair should be in the squad.

He told Go Radio: "Has he got a point? I think it is crazy that Hatate and Kyogo are not in the Japan national team. You find me a better striker that plays for Japan? I know one of their strikers is at Brighton, but it is crazy."

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