John Hartson believes Kyogo Furuhashi will want another shot at the Champions League with Celtic and show that he CAN cut it at the highest level.
Brendan Rodgers' men are gearing up for another shot at Europe's elite after failing to win a game in the group stage last season and finishing bottom of the section under Ange Postecoglou. That stat doesn't tell the whole story with the Scottish champions wasteful in front of goal as they created numerous big opportunities across the section and just didn't take them.
Postecoglou has since left Parkhead for a crack at the English Premier League with Tottenham. He has been linked with a return for the Japanese star, who scored a whopping 34 goals last season. Former Hoops gaffer Neil Lennon expressed his doubts over a switch to Spurs last week. Hartson is confident his old club can fend off interest in the star man whether that comes from North London or anybody else as he backed the hitman to put things right on the biggest stage in the coming campaign.
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Hartson told Mail Sport: "I think Kyogo may want another shot at the Champions League.
"He was brilliant in the Scottish Premiership last season. Some of his finishes for his 34 goals were world class and his movement is absolutely fantastic. But Celtic were not clinical enough in the Champions League last season.
"It was the goalscoring that let the team down. Their play up until the final third was great and they could have got a few results in Europe had they been more clinical. Kyogo will want to show he can go and do it at the highest level.
"I hope he puts that right next season. I certainly think he’s very capable of doing that. Of course you want to keep all your best players.
"Ange might come back and test Celtic’s resolve but hopefully Celtic can fend off any offers and Brendan Rodgers can show Kyogo that he really wants him as a key part of his setup.
"I wouldn’t want Celtic to sell Kyogo but Tottenham have massive money so it’s going to be up to Celtic, the board, the player, and Brendan Rodgers. But I do think Kyogo looks very happy at Celtic. He’s just off a Treble so why wouldn’t he be?"
