Upon Kyogo Furuhashi’s arrival at the club in July 2021 for £4.6 million from Vissel Kobe, CELTIC icon Davie Hay was quick to predict that the player would not be a one-season marvel.
The Japanese striker scored 20 goals to lead the Hoops to a thrilling Premiership title triumph and took center stage in the 2-1 League Cup Final victory over Hibs, despite a four-month injury layoff resulting from two distinct ailments.
Hay praised Ange Postecoglou’s inspired addition from the J-League and stated that the lightning-fast attack leader still had more to give.
Last season, Kyogo once again produced a spectacular performance, helping Celtic become the first club in history to win eight straight domestic championships.
As the champions regained first place after defeating St Johnstone 3-1 at Parkhead yesterday, the 29-year-old international scored his 15th goal of the current campaign with a darting header.
It did not surprise the former Parkhead player or manager in the slightest that the player had such effect.
Hay explains why Kyogo should be handled like gold dust in another CQN EXCLUSIVE, speaking to his longtime friend and author Alex Gordon, who co-wrote the icon’s best-selling book, “The Quiet Assassin.”
“A lot has been made over the fall-off in the player’s strike rate this season,” the club legend stated. A few of the remarks have bordered on absurd.
“That ability is not something that a prolific marksman loses over night, and Kyogo just needed to find his rhythm once more.
“Listen, even the best goal scorers experience periods of inactivity. I believe I have some knowledge of the men who are on the team’s cutting edge.
I had the good fortune to rise through the ranks of Celtic’s legendary Quality Street Gang. When Lou Macari and Kenny Dalglish—two very different kinds of scorers—also started to emerge, I was there.
Even as teenagers, their characteristics were evident. When I made my first team debut, I was playing with guys like Bobby Lennox and Willie Wallace of the Lisbon Lions, whose stats said it all.
In addition, Big John Hughes, a goal-scoring player, was present. Dixie Deans entered the game as well, and she was a pure penalty-box player who accrued a lot of strikes.
I signed Mo Johnston away from Watford as Celtic manager, and he performed his share of work there. Alan McInally, Big Rambo, Frank McGarvey, Mark McGhee, and Brian McClair all contributed.
“Pierre van Hooydonk, Jorge Cadete, and Paulo di Canio came to Parkhead thanks to my involvement as the club’s chief scout.
When I discuss the qualities of the players in the starting lineup who are anticipated to do well in each game, maybe I’ll have some idea.
“It becomes an emergency if they experience a drought, which they all do.”
“I would have him in the team every time,” Hay said, turning to face Kyogo. We are all aware of his potential. With his amazing burst of speed, he is a defender’s worst nightmare.
Additionally, he is a courageous young man. Take a look at his goal from yesterday’s match against St Johnstone.
“Nicolas Kuhn flew in a ball suspended in midair. Goalkeepers have been known to clear everything out of the way as they approach the cross in those scenario.
The attacker makes this decision in a split second. Would he risk being knocked about? Or does he poke the pain with his head?
Kyogo made no second hesitations. He dove into the melee and was rewarded when his glancing header found the back of the net to score the first goal.
“He demonstrated in an instant why he needs to be among Brendan Rodgers’ first picks each and every week.”
“I wouldn’t presume to tell the manager who or not to choose for his line-up,” Hay continued. When I was in control, there were plenty of people who regularly gave me that advice.
However, Brendan’s greatest option is without a doubt Kyogo. With all due respect, neither Adam Idah nor Oh Hyeon-gyu resemble their colleague in terms of appearance or manner.
But the main man is Kyogo, in my opinion. A guy any team would be happy to have on their roster, he’s pure gold.
His incredible quickness and acceleration propel Celtic up the field even when he is not scoring a ton of goals. Providing he doesn’t lose sight of the offside law, that is.
We have discovered to our detriment that numerous obnoxious assistants and perceptive VAR officials are present, closely examining each action.
As long as opposing teams are required to adhere to the same regulations, that is an inherent aspect of the game.
For Celtic, Kyogo has already scored 69 goals. When the season’s final whistle sounds, I wonder how many he will have gathered?
“He is the team’s greatest asset, and it’s wonderful to see him carrying on with his signature smile once more.”
Get related news on
Sportchannel.co.uk
Leave a Reply