Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi is expected to be sidelined for between three to four weeks with a knee injury he sustained on international duty.
The 26-year-old had to be substituted five minutes into the second half of Japan’s World Cup qualifier against China on Tuesday and he could now miss several matches for the Hoops.
Supporters on Twitter are rather frustrated by the news but, after initial reports suggesting he could be sidelined for seven games, some are relieved he may not be out for as long as first feared:
Could have been a lot worse, never the less itโs a massive blow huge games coming up. Time for the new boys to step up their never gonna get a better chance.
— Danny Walker (@Danny3Walker) September 10, 2021
Hate international football ๐คฌ๐คฌ
— paul.mcgarrigan-celtic.f.c.๐๐ฎ๐ช๐๐ฎ๐ช (@p_mc_garrigan67) September 10, 2021
Thats a pity – Opportunity for others to rise to the challenge, there isn't room for a single point of failure
— Stewforfun (@Stewforfun) September 10, 2021
Ffs
— Jim Mallon (@jimmallon1888) September 10, 2021
Ange is aiming for him to be back for the Aberdeen game
— ElectricCELT (@ElectricCelt) September 10, 2021
Could be worse, he'll get the rest he needs but I do worry about not having his dynamism in the European ties.
— Fenian Dan (@FenianHoop) September 10, 2021
We need him badly tho as giakoumakis still to prove he can play on the big stage hopefully he has an impact tmrw and give him a big confidence boost
— Celtic_Wan (@wan_celtic) September 10, 2021
There is every chance that the Japanese international could still miss seven matches between now and the next international break if he is sidelined for the next month but he could still make an earlier than expected return.
You can’t get away from the fact, though, that it is a big blow. Kyogo has been Celtic’s best player since the start of the season and his absence will be keenly felt.