The Japan summer squad has been announced as the Samurai’s look to tune up before the World Cup at the end of the year.

Celtic have four Japanese players in their ranks at the moment. Right now, only two of them have made the cut. Daizen Maeda and Kyogo take their place in the squad for the Kirin Cup. [Japan Squad]

We all knew Yosuke Ideguchi was never going to get a call-up but Reo Hatate not getting the nod is surprising. Some have put that down to the player being mentally and physically exhausted after a marathon 18-months between J-League football and playing his part in Celtic’s title triumph. However, we understand that isn’t the case and right now Reo is on the outside looking in on a potential World Cup spot.

Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v Motherwell – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – May 14, 2022 Celtic’s Yosuke Ideguchi, Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda celebrates winning the Scottish Premiership with the trophy Action Images via Reuters/Molly Darlington

It’s great news for Celtic fans who want to see Reo get a rest before he comes back to Glasgow.

Hajime Moriyasu handed Reo his first ever cap during the last international break but the midfielder has some way to go before being picked on a regular basis for his country.

Kyogo and Maeda have both had marathon seasons too but have been selected. Kyogo less fatigued after sitting out injured for most of Celtic’s second half of the season.

Reo will be disappointed he’s not included. It gives him the chance to come out the gates all guns blazing when Celtic return and play his way into the Japan World Cup squad.

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