Kyogo and Reo Hatate must be wondering what on earth they'll have to do to force their way back into the Japan squad.
Hatate has been one of the best midfielders in the Premiership, racking up more minutes than any other midfielder - including Callum McGregor - and looks in line for a player of the year nomination. Then there's Kyogo, on 26 goals in all competitions and touching the top ten in the standings for the European Golden Boot for which Erling Haaland is running away.
Yet just as they were for the World Cup, they were overlooked - with Daizen Maeda once again the only Celtic star fancied by Hajime Moriyasu. His explanations for leaving them out have so far been wishy-washy although this time he offered a little bit more, revealing the "level" of the Scottish Premiership factored into his thinking.
