Kyogo snubbed as Celtic striker left OUT of Japan squad despite derby heroics but Hatate and Maeda make Asia Cup cut

Kyogo has failed to make the Japan squad for the Asia Cup despite his stunning goal in the derby win over Rangers on Saturday - but Hoops team-mates Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate are in.

Blue Samurai boss Hajime Moriyasu named his squad for the tournament and while it's a bitter personal blow for Kyogo, it will be a boost for Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers.

Reo Hatate is only edging back to fitness following a lengthy spell on the sidelines but he has been included along with Maeda who has struggled at times to find top form this season.

And Kyogo's omission might come as a surprise to Celtic supporters. The competition runs for a month from January 14 and Rodgers was braced for losing the trio, along with Oh and Yang for South Korea.

It could alter his thinking after admitting he might have to dip into the transfer market for a short term striker solution. But Kyogo will now be around for key games. Rodgers had said: “It’s like the Africa Cup of Nations, it’s part of the deal. If you have a number of Asian players in your squad you know this might happen so it’s about dealing with it.

"It’s not a surprise. It is something you have to plan forward for and it was one of the first things we spoke about coming in here. It’s not all about the present, it’s about looking forward to each window. We have that in hand and we know what our ideas are for that."