Callum McGregor labels Kyogo a ‘modern day Celtic legend’

Callum McGregor labels Kyogo a ‘modern day Celtic legend’ ahead of the 30 year-old’s impending departure…

Callum McGregor and Kyogo
Celtic v theRangers – Callum McGregor and Kyogo Furuhashi celebrate after the Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park on Sunday September 1, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

Signing from J-League side Vissel Kobe in the summer of 2021, Kyogo Furuhashi notched up 85 goals in 165 appearances for Celtic winning eight trophies along the way under both Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers’ successful reigns.

A reported £10m move to Rennes in Ligue 1 awaits the Japanese striker, but his three-and-a-half-year spell at Celtic Park was quite simply a stunning period. Playing his final match in green and white Hoops on Wednesday night against Swiss champions BSC Young Boys in the Champions League, news of Kyogo’s departure came shortly after the final whistle much to the surprise of the Celtic support.

Kyogo celebrates
UEFA Champions League Celtic Glasgow vs Young Boys Bern, Celtic Park. Goal celebration by Kyogo Furuhashi however VAR rules out the goal. Photo Joeran Steinsiek IMAGO

Jetting off on a private jet from Glasgow to Brittany on Thursday morning, Celtic now have the challenge of replacing their man from Japan in a relatively short period of time given the January transfer window shuts in a weeks’ time.

Post-match on Wednesday evening, skipper Callum McGregor was asked about Kyogo’s departure and the 31 year-old midfielder delivered a classy response.

Q: How will Kyogo be remembered?

Callum McGregor: “For big goals. Big games.”

Q: A legend?

Callum McGregor:  “A modern day legend, definitely. He has been so important for the team. Whatever the case is, I know the club will have done everything they can to keep him. But if that [win against Young Boys on Wednesday]is to be his last game or whatever, then it’s been outstanding.”

Callum McGregor
Callum McGregor celebrates with his teammates after winning during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and BSC Young Boys at Celtic Park on January 22, 2025 Photo JustPictures.ch/Richard Callis. IMAGO

For Kyogo’s remarkable spell at Paradise, McGregor has been captain. The duo has built up an intrinsic partnership on and off the pitch – key to the success of our trophy-laden dominance since the disastrous COVID season.

Conor Spence

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About Author

A current third year student studying History and Journalism, Media and Communications at the University of Strathclyde and now writing regularly about the Hoops for The Celtic Star.

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