Looks like we’ll be short a few for the huns game.
CELTIC boss Ange Postecoglou admits Kyogo Furuhashi and Tom Rogic are NOT in his Old Firm battle plans.
The Aussie confirmed Hoops fans’ worst fears when he revealed that his Japanese Bhoys and countryman Rogic will almost certainly miss the rearranged game.
The second Old Firm clash of the season was meant to be this weekend.
But after clubs voted to bring forward the winter break, the match at Parkhead will now go ahead on February 2.
That’s just a day after Japan host Saudi Arabia and Australia face Oman in crunch World Cup qualifiers.
Much could still hinge on whether the Japanese government allows the JFA to bring in players from overseas.
But reports suggest that’s increasingly likely, with Furuhashi and new Celtic signings Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate firmly in the call-up mix.
With Rogic a cert to be drafted in by Australia, it could leave Postecoglou without four key players.
It’s a massive blow for the boss, although he hopes to have injured trio Jota, James Forrest and Christopher Jullien back.
Postecoglou said: “That has been in our planning for a while. We’ve known that they are going to be away in that period if they get selected.
“I totally understand that whatever fixtures we have in that period they are likely to miss out. It’s a World Cup game, so there are no negotiations.
“We are obliged to release them and we will.”
Maeda, Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi were all confirmed on Friday in a triple New Year signing swoop for the Hoops.
Celtic are working hard to secure work permits for the Japanese stars.
The J.League trio follow in the footsteps of Kyogo, who has proved a smash hit since his summer arrival from Vissel Kobe.
Yokohama F. Marinos striker Maeda has initially signed on a six-month loan deal, but the Hoops are obligated to buy for a fee of around £1.7million.
Ideguchi and Hatate join the club on four-and-a-half-year deals.
Now all three could be involved when Celtic return to action against Hibs on January 17.
By then, Postecoglou is hopeful more fans will be allowed into grounds after the Scottish Government capped crowds at 500.
The Omicron variant saw Scotland’s top flight shut down early and the traditional New Year Old Firm derby scrapped.
He said: “Hopefully we still get that crowd. That’s the whole idea of coming to this common-sense approach that I’m pleased the clubs and the league have agreed on.
“It just makes sense for everybody. I don’t think there will be a manager who wants to play behind closed doors any more.
“We’ve had that experience and it’s certainly one we don’t want to revisit.
“So hopefully when we get back playing we are in front of fans, with that atmosphere we all enjoy.”
Balls.
There was talk of a postponement if there were a few called up but it doesn’t sound like that’s an option. I imagine everyone committed to the date when the winter break was moved.
I think it’s unlikely the new trio will be called up though.
We would be entitled to a postponement, but agreed it may have been part of the original deal for none to be permitted. Zombie rage would be off the scale though
Any reason why the Japanese lads are going with their first name on the back of the jerseys?
Nakamura and Mizuno went with their surnames.
Forrest, Giakoumakis, Dembele, Jullien and the three new Japenese Bhoys all looked to be training with the first team this morning.
Should certainly give us a shot in the arm for the weeks ahead.
Any chance the jocko executive will extend the ban on fans and we’ll still end up playing Hibs and huns at home with no support?
I’d imagine the HNP would be all for that.
Yes, every chance. Nothing personal though.
There have been conflicting reports in the last week. A rugby “tournament” starting soon might help the case for opening stadia but that wouldn’t be as immediate I don’t think. (No pocket or desk diary from KPMG this year to check dates).
Nicola has by and large been consistent in , if in doubt, LIDTF in fairness. I’d be surprised if that doesn’t continue.
Fans back from Monday.
Ticket for the old firm be hard got I suspect, despite paltry enough attendance thus far.
Paltry attendance? There were 50,000 at a Tuesday afternoon match that wasn’t part of the season ticket. Covid and Christmas reduced numbers a little just before the break but pretty much every game has been a sell out.
Any game I watched had lots of empty seats. Tickets sold is not the same as attendance (as you know)
Also you’re being slightly economical with the “Tuesday game” line.
Twickenham just about sold out for an afternoon club rubby match around then.
Probably has a lot to do with non Scottish supporter clubs and travel difficulties with Covid.
May well be.
50000 leaves a lot of empty seats still, and that was an artificially bumped crowd as it was over the Christmas period.
My main point was not to hurt rockos feelings but to state that there will be huge demand for this OFG.