Kyogo in emotional Celtic 'thank you' as striker reflects on first ever Champions League start

Celtic star Kyogo Furuhashi has revealed his pride after making his first Champions League start on Wednesday night as he praised "everyone who has made it possible".

The Japanese striker was reintroduced to the starting XI ahead of Giorgos Giakoumakis for the matchday two draw with Shakhtar Donetsk. And he came close to breaking the deadlock prior to Reo Hatate's deflected opener which was ultimately cancelled out by a blistering run and finish from Mykhaylo Mudryk.

Kyogo might have not repaid Ange Postecoglou's faith with a trademark goal in Warsaw but he did work his socks off before making way for Giakoumakis with 20 minutes to go. He tweeted: "Yesterday was my first eleven debut in a Champions League match ever. Thanks to everyone who made that possible, I enjoyed every minute of it! We keep pushing."

Celtic return to Scottish Premiership duty this weekend when they face St Mirren in the final game before the international break. Kyogo will be joined by Hoops team mates Hatate and Daizen Maeda in the Japan national squad for the forthcoming World Cup warm up friendlies against United States on Friday 23 September and Ecuador on Tuesday 27 September.

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