Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has backed Kyogo Furuhashi to perform in the Champions League next season.

The Japan international was left frustrated during this season's competition after being unable to convert any of his chances in the group stages.

Ange Postecoglou's side finished bottom of their section which contained Real Madrid, RB Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk.

However, McAvennie feels the 28-year-old will be able to take his game to another level in Europe next season.

He told Football Insider: "I think next year he will do it in the Champions League. That is where you have got to do it.

"He has missed a couple of chances but I have got a feeling he is going to be strong in it.

"He just wants to learn. His movement is different class which is great for the midfielders.

"Players do not know whether to go to him which creates space in the midfield, that is why it is working."

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Meanwhile, Celtic captain Callum McGregor and Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack are rivals most of the time that they share the pitch together.

Both have been involved in battles across the park in many derbies and have fought for leagues and cups across various seasons.

However, they have also featured together for Scotland at international level.

In the current squad selected for the fixtures against Cyprus and Spain, McGregor and Jack are two of only three players who ply their trade north of the border.

And the Ibrox midfielder has opened on why he enjoys playing with the 29-year-old.

He told Sky Sports: "We have a great relationship through the number of games that Callum and I have played.

"I obviously don't know what the manager is going to go with, I don't know what the formation or the personnel is until we obviously meet up.

"There are five or six midfielders in the squad. You look at it and think that anyone could play, anyone could step in."

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