Kyogo Furuhashi

Brendan Rodgers insists fans shouldn't read too much into Kyogo's muted Celtic goal celebrations from the weekend victory over Ross County.


However, the Northern Irishman insists that if any players at the Scottish Premiership champions don't want to be there, then he will see them move on.

Kyogo bagged a brace with a goal in either half during the 4-1 win in the Highlands.

That came a matter of days after the MLS and Atlanta United were forced to apologise after an official announcement that the club had signed the Japanese forward appeared on their websites.


This sparked concern among the Celtic fanbase that Kyogo could be on his way out of the club this month.

Today, Rodgers has tried to ease those worries.

He said: "I can see on a daily basis, people will always look into something. It's either he didn't celebrate enough, he didn't do this or he didn't do that.

"I see him every day, I see his work, I see his intensity. If he scores goals so much that he doesn't feel he has to celebrate madly all the time or maybe he was too cold.

"He's just the same game. Speculation, there will always be one or two wee bits around him. He's fine and he'll travel tomorrow.

I think the biggest thing is, if a player doesn't want to be here then go.

"It's at that point that the club has to get the best possible deal. I don't see the point in keeping someone that doesn't want to be here.

"For us, we've got to look at all eventualities. That's what we prepare for; whether it's injuries, transfers - I think you always have to be ready and that's our message.

"For him, at this moment in time, he's happy, working well, scoring goals and enjoying his football."

 

I think Rodgers comments have been interesting about the situation. He has not once in three press conferences really come out and said he isn’t going, it’s always been a bit of he is on the bus when talking about the Ross County game, you had that speculation hasn’t changed him, and the full thing about if a player doesn’t want to go.

He may just be, being coy but I still think it might be on for Kyogo to leave after the CL games.

 

Thinking the same. It's what he's not saying that is making me think that way.

 

I think he'll go then as well..

 

Kyogo Furuhashi will not be sold in January with Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers unwilling to weaken his squad, sources have told Football Insider.

The Hoops key man, 29, has been the subject of interest from clubs in the United States – including Atlanta United.

However, sources say it would be a “big surprise” if the Japan international left Parkhead in the mid-season window, which closes on 3 February.

Furuhashi has not been in his best form for Celtic this term, but remains a key man – which was exemplified by his brace against Ross County on Saturday (11 January).


The Hoops have ambitions to reach the latter stages of the Champions League and are well placed to secure a place in the knockout stages ahead of their final league phase games against Young Boys and Aston villa


It is believed interest from Major League Soccer sides will not go away, with Atlanta and other US sides still keen to do a deal for Furuhashi in the future


The forward, who turns 30 later this month, has hit 12 goals and notched three assists in 29 appearances this term

He has scored 85 goals in total for Celtic and is on course to win his fourth Scottish Premiership title with the club

Furuhashi’s contract with the Glasgow giants is set to run until May 2027.

 

Should be a player we give * all cares about when it comes turning profit and then keep him here for as long as we can keep him

 

One of few bright spots tonight, excellent on ball - the limited amount of time he had it

 

MOTM for me. Could have had 2 assists if Idah was braver.

 

He was good tonight, shame the same can't be said about pretty much everyone else.

 

Great performance again

 

Superb tonight.

 

Don't sell.

 

I thought he was brilliant on the wing today but a bit invisible when he went central, not his fault.

Dare I say it, could he be our new LW and we bring in another striker?

 

Deserves better alongside him

 

Proof that playing as a striker in this team is a wasted place

 

Looked excellent in the wide position. The guy is a class act and somebody we should try to keep at all costs.

 

Pretty much the only one who played well tonight.

 

Just swap him and Maeda