Kyogo Furuhashi

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers says striker Kyogo Furuhashi is going nowhere.

The Japanese striker has been linked with a move away from the club, with MLS side Atlanta United reportedly keen. But Kyogo was on fire in freezing Dingwall yesterday, bagging a brace for the Hoops in their 4-1 victory over Ross County. An Arne Engels penalty and late Luke McCowan strike made it look easy for Rodgers’ men


But Celtic were drawing 1-1 with 10 minutes to go before Kyogo grabbed his second and killed off the Staggies. Afterwards, Rodgers praised Kyogo - who played as a wide man in the Highlands - and insisted he has no intention of letting him go. When asked if he wanted him to remain at the club, Rodgers said: “Yeah, just like all the players here. We want to keep improving and developing the squad. Look at Kyoto’s goals today - that’s what he’s all about


He had great runs, getting around the box and also his finishes. I thought he worked really well today. You have to remember he was a winger in Japan and came to the club as a wide player. We wanted goalscorers in the team and we had to be flexible to allow him to do what he did today

 

Selling him right now would be absolutely madness

 

So dangerous in what was an almost free role.. movement was excellent.

 

Today showed what he is capable of and how important he is to us, but I couldn't help but notice his body language at both goals and at the end.

He barely broke a smile, when in the past he had the biggest smile on the park.

Hopefully I'm reading too much into it, but obviously there's a move being mooted and he hasn't been on tip-top form this season.

 

Was he not celebrating with the supporters at the end ahead of the rest of the group?

Wouldn't worry about anything like that mate. It's been a tough season for him and he's a pretty humble player.

Don't see him as being the type to try and showcase a huffy attitude if he's wanting a move.

 

Hes a cut above anyone we have or anyone we are likely to get.

 

He danced with the fans at the end. Looks happy to me.

 

Give him another extension please.

 

The way we set up today meant he was so much more involved. That can only be a good thing for us.

 

We should be playing him on the wing more often at these narrow away pitches, his movement to pick up space as an inside forward was excellent. Gave AJ the freedom of the full right wing as well. Plus his ball playing from deep is underrated, seldom gives it away.

 

Ye let's play idah instead of him * sake

 

Aye...very subdued today. Muted celebrations. Bit concerning.

 

Give it a * rest you utter * *

 

Criminal that he still doesn't have a song. Look at this passage of lyrics from "Rather Be" by Clean Bandit, tell me that a football chant about Kyogo is not in there:

With every step we take, Kyoto to The Bay
Strolling so casually
We're different and the same, get you another name
Switch up the batteries

If you gave me a chance I would take it
It's a shot in the dark but I'll make it
Know with all of your heart, you can't shake me
When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be
N-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be
N-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be
N-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be

 

Ok confession, I suggested a chant on this song for Kyogo in this thread a couple years ago. I couldn't be arsed finding it and I equally couldn't be arsed making up a new one

Buuuut it turns out it was really easy to find my original comment. Maybe someone can do better as I'm not much of a lyric guy but here we are:

With every shot he takes, Kyogo finds the net
Strolling so casually
He's different and the same, to Henrik King of Kings
Kyogo Fu-ru-ha-shi


If you give him a chance he will take it
It's a chip from the D but he'll make it
Know with all of your heart, you can't shake him
When he is with us, there's no place I'd rather be
N-n-n-no, no, no, no place I rather be
N-n-n-no, no, no, no place I rather be
N-n-n-no, no, no, no place I rather be

 

Said before the game I wanted to see us try something different and now I’m saying I’ll be disappointed if it’s a one off.

Kyogo playing as an inverted winger / second striker allowing Johnston to get forward and provide width on the right.

The stats in terms of his touches and involvement were brilliant. He’s too good to be playing that isolated forward role and I hope it’s something we see again at Dundee on Tuesday.

Idah didn’t get his goal today but I thought he occupied defenders and allowed Kyogo to drift about unmarked and get more touches. Look at the first goal, Kyogo comes deep into the centre of park, Idah comes deep taking a defender with him so Kyogo can make a run forward into the box and Johnston out on RW ready to find Kyogo.

Been on the fence about letting Kyogo go and was airing on the side of selling him but that was purely because our system wasn’t getting the best out of him. Perhaps today might be the start of some tweaks that can get him firing consistently again.

 

Quality from him today. Should have had more, but his two goals were top notch. Got involved so much more as well as he didn’t have to worry about staying high up the park as Idah was there too.

 

I hope it’s not this window, but when the time comes for him to leave, he’ll be forever remembered as the symbol of the transition from the all round shambles of the Covid season, to what we’ve had for the past four years and counting.

More so than Ange as he’s been absolutely crucial to the success of two managers now, scoring huge goals domestically and in Europe, and in massive numbers.

His movement, work rate, humbleness, and infectious personality was evident from day one and kick started a fantastic era for us.

I remember being at the European qualifier against Jablonec at home and couldn’t believe the pace at which he was closing down defenders.

Best striker since Larsson for me by a quite a distance, despite having some excellent competition for that place over the last 20 years.

 

The way we speak of Sutton, hartson, nakamura.. fact is kyogo will be spoke of just the same as the years go by. For our kids, he's the modern legend imo. Totally likable, sincere, brilliant yet totally different from any other player imo. Love him, and he better not leave. Ever.