Brendan Rodgers won't stand in anyone's way if his heart is set on leaving Celtic – but he hasn't found Kyogo Furuhashi unsettled.
Atlanta United have been linked with the Japanese striker during this transfer window, even after Major League Soccer apologized for wrongly reporting that the Georgian club had bought him from the Hoops.
Furuhashi took his Celtic tally to 85 with a double Saturday's 4-1 win over Ross County but some observers noted that he did not have his usual enthusiasm during the celebration.
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Highlights from Dingwall where Kyogo scored twice and Celtic beat Ross County
At 29 and with three and a half seasons in Glasgow behind him, it is thought that Furuhashi could be ready to explore pastures new.
Rodgers is prepared to face the consequences if a big money offer comes in for any of his players.
“I think the biggest thing is if a player doesn't want to be here, leave,” said the Northern Irishman. get the best deal.
“But I think for us, it's events. That's what we prepare for, whether it's an injury, whether it's movements. You always have to be ready and that's our message.
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Kris Boyd and Chris Sutton praised Celtic's Kyogo after a superb performance against Ross County
“But for (Kyogo) at the moment, he is happy, he is working well, he is scoring goals and enjoying his football.
“People always look into something – 'he didn't mark enough or he didn't do this or he didn't do that'.
“I see him every day, I see his work, I see his intensity. .
“But there's always going to be speculation and we're not afraid of the speculation and the gossip. So there's always going to be little bits and pieces around it.”
Furuhashi switched to a wider position at Dingwall which left Adam Idah as the main striker. With Nicolas Kuhn, Luis Palma and possibly Daizen Maeda back in the squad for Tuesday's Premier League clash in Dundee – live on Sky Sports – one of the center forwards can go out.
Idah may have preferred to miss out after going 11 games without scoring but Rodgers insists he is pleased with the Irishman's performance.
“I was very happy with his contribution,” said Rodgers. “My striker doesn't have to score 40 goals every season, that's not true. If you look at any of my teams, the goals are always spread. What I need is the players to be intense, to be aggressive. .
Tuesday January 14 7:30 p.m
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“He had some good moments at the weekend. Yes, he didn't get his goal but he was there, he contributed a lot, setting up the game for us, allowing other players to attack the space. He is working very, very hard, Adam.
“I just think it's one of those, he'll fall for it at some point. But if we're scoring four goals and your striker isn't scoring, you that.”
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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers explains what surprises him about his players as he looks ahead to Tuesday's game against Dundee, live on Sky Sports
Johnny Kenny replaced Idah off the bench for his Celtic debut after scoring 25 goals on loan at Shamrock Rovers.
Rodgers will assess whether to keep the 21-year-old Irishman at the club or send him back on loan for more experience after being impressed by his strength, enthusiasm and work rate in Dingwall.
“We will continue to monitor him and then the next decision is whether he is going to stay and be a part of it, or does he still need more playing time on loan?
“But at the moment, I have been very happy. He showed a wonderful commitment to football and to work and he did very well. And I can see, 25 yards in, he is a A really good finish.”
