When Kyogo Furuhashi joined Celtic in 2021, few would have recognised the identify.
His supervisor on the time, Ange Postecoglou, stated the Japan worldwide would “add something special” to the squad. He wasn’t mistaken.
Just below 4 years later, Kyogo departs as a fan favorite. He’s the highest scorer within the Scottish Premiership since shifting to the league. Plus, he has gained eight main honours over three-and-a-half seasons.
The 30-year-old did signal a brand new four-year contract on the membership in 2023, with boss Brendan Rodgers describing him as an “exciting, outstanding” and an “important” participant. That new deal was signed a day after Jota left the membership for Saudi Arabia – however may he as a substitute return to the membership from Rennes and fill the void that Kyogo leaves behind?
Will Kyogo be missed?
Former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou signed Kyogo for Celtic the place he gained eight main honours
The easy reply is sure. He scores targets, stretches defences to create room for his teammates to attain and is tidy on the ball.
He scored 85 targets in all competitions, plus added 19 assists – however there’s far more to these numbers.
A complete of 63 of these targets got here within the league, and it was a determine that no different participant may match within the Scottish Premiership over that interval. Surprisingly, the ahead – who’s simply 5ft 5in tall – scored 12 headers, additionally a league-high throughout his time in Glasgow.
He topped the league’s charts for photographs on the right track and quick breaks too. Plus, greater than 17 per cent of Celtic’s targets because the summer season of 2021 got here by way of the ahead. For context, Matt O’Riley and Daizen Maeda have been second on that record for the Hoops – 10 per cent and 38 targets additional behind.
How do Celtic exchange him?
Jota gained 5 trophies throughout his spell at Celtic, together with two league titles
The easy reply may very well be a reputation the Celtic followers are accustomed to. Jota.
He left Celtic for a £25m transfer to Saudi Professional League aspect Al Ittihad in 2023, however issues by no means actually labored out for the 25-year-old. Off-field points resulted within the Portuguese participant leaving after a 12 months to hitch Rennes.
Nevertheless, that hasn’t gone to plan both with Jota making simply 9 league appearances in France and now the golf equipment are in talks over an £8m deal that might see the participant transfer in the wrong way to Kyogo.
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Kris Boyd believes Kyogo Furuhashi’s pending transfer from Celtic to Rennes is a fear and says the goalscorer is difficult to exchange
He scored 15 targets and supplied 12 assists throughout his final season at Celtic as they gained a home treble. He loves the membership and the followers love him. Whereas he may not be a direct alternative up-front for Kyogo, Rodgers isn’t wanting choices in that central space with Adam Idah again on the membership and Daizen Maeda capable of fill that function too.
Plus, there’s little doubt supporters would like to see “Jota on the wing” at Celtic Park as soon as once more.
Celtic maintain Barry talks with Villa however membership reluctant to promote
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Louie Barry takes it previous three gamers and beautifully finishes it in Stockport County’s 3-0 victory over Blackpool
Newest from Sky Sports activities Information’ Anthony Joseph and Lyall Thomas:
Celtic have additionally held preliminary talks over a attainable deal for winger Louie Barry – however Aston Villa stay reluctant to promote the participant and have provided him a brand new contract.
Villa want to maintain Barry and mortgage him out for his improvement – and he has curiosity from many of the Championship and several other golf equipment overseas.
The 21-year-old was recalled from his mortgage at Stockport County earlier this month, for Unai Emery to take a better look and assess his readiness for first-team soccer.
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