FORMER Aberdeen striker Noel Whelan has accused Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi of acting disrespectfully after the Japanese forward discussed the prospect of one day moving to the Premier League.

Furuhashi, 26, has been a revelation since moving to Parkhead from Vissel Kobe in his homeland this summer and has eight goals in 11 outings in all competitions since making the switch.

Speaking at a press conference in Japan at the weekend, the summer signing admitted that "good results" could one day lead to a big-money move down south - following in the footsteps of the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Victor Wanyama and Kieran Tierney.

Glasgow Times:

The road from Glasgow's east end to England has been well-travelled in recent years, and the potential of a move to the Premier League following good performances is a strong selling point for the Premiership runners-up.

However, Whelan reckons that Furuhashi should be focussing on the job at hand rather than mulling over a potential transfer further down the road.

"Right now, he has to concentrate on the club who signed him," Whelan told Football Insider.

"Rather than talking about speculation about the Premier League, first and foremost he has to do his job with Celtic.

Glasgow Times:

"If he does that job right, then speculation will come his way and there will be offers.

"The last thing that Celtic will want to hear right now is him talking about the Premier League when he’s got a massive job ahead of him at the club.

“He’s been there what – two minutes? It shows a little bit of a lack of respect if you ask me.

Glasgow Times:

“There’s nothing wrong with aspiring to play in the Premier League, but you’ve only just signed for Celtic – and there’s a massive job ahead to bring silverware back to Parkhead."