When Kyogo Furuhashi joined Celtic in 2021, few would have recognised the title.
His supervisor on the time, Ange Postecoglou, mentioned the Japan worldwide would “add something special” to the squad. He wasn’t flawed.
Just below 4 years later, Kyogo departs as a fan favorite. He’s the highest scorer within the Scottish Premiership since transferring to the league. Plus, he has received 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” and “important” participant. That new deal was signed a day after Jota left the membership for Saudi Arabia – however might 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 received eight main honours
The easy reply is sure. He scores objectives, stretches defences to create room for his teammates to attain and is tidy on the ball.
He scored 85 objectives in all competitions, plus added 19 assists – however there’s far more to these numbers.
A complete of 56 of these objectives got here within the league, and it was a determine that no different participant might 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 pictures on the right track and quick breaks too. Plus, greater than 17 per cent of Celtic’s objectives for the reason that summer time of 2021 got here through the ahead. For context, Matt O’Riley and Daizen Maeda had been second on that listing for the Hoops – 10 per cent additional behind.
How do Celtic exchange him?
Jota received 5 trophies throughout his spell at Celtic, together with two league titles
The easy reply could possibly be a reputation the Celtic followers are acquainted with. Jota.
He left Celtic for a £25m transfer to Saudi Professional League facet 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.
Nonetheless, that hasn’t gone to plan both with Jota making simply 9 league appearances in France and now the golf equipment are in a chat that might see the participant transfer in the other way to Kyogo.
He scored 15 objectives and supplied 12 assists throughout his final season at Celtic as they received 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 will not be 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 held preliminary talks over a potential deal for winger Louie Barry – however Aston Villa stay reluctant to promote the participant and have supplied him a brand new contract.
Villa choose to maintain Barry and mortgage him out for his improvement – and he has curiosity from a lot 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 more in-depth look and assess his readiness for first-team soccer.
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