Over seasons gone by, Celtic have had the luxury of two consistent goalscorers to lead the charge…
First came Odsonne Edouard, who led the club’s goal charts from 2018 to 2021. Then Kyogo Furuhashi took up the baton, topping the scoring charts from then onward. As the 2025/26 season comes into view, the spotlight turns to who is next in line as Celtic’s talisman up front.
The Edouard Years (2018-2021)
Odsonne Edouard joined Celtic from Paris Saint-Germain in June 2018 for a then club-record fee of £9 million. The French forward finished as Celtic’s top scorer for three seasons in a row before making the move to Premier League outfit Crystal Palace in August 2021. Edouard’s technical ability and ice-cool finishing were key to Celtic’s success, including their treble in 2018/19.
Kyogo’s Rise (2021-2025)
Kyogo Furuhashi arrived from Vissel Kobe in July 2021 under Ange Postecoglu and immediately lit up the Scottish Premiership. As of the end of the 2024/25 campaign, Furuhashi has scored over 70 goals for The Hoops. He topped the scoring charts in 2021/22, 2022/23, and 2023/24, with his best tally being 27 goals. His movement, pressing, and calm finishing have earned comparisons to Celtic greats of the past.
The Next in Line
With both Edouard and Furuhashi now players of the past, Celtic must find the next striker with the goalscoring touch.
Adam Idah
Idah joined on loan from Norwich City in the 2024 winter transfer window and scored several crucial goals in the second half of 2023/24. His move to Celtic was turned permanent, but Idah has yet to nail down a regular starting role or be among the goals as much as he and the club would like, although given that he was not a regular starter last season his 20 goal tally isn’t too bad.
Daizen Maeda
While primarily or preferably operating as a left-winger, Daizen Maeda is Celtic’s current goal machine. In 2024/25, he’s scored 33 goals in 48 games, playing from wide left and through the middle. Maeda is a proven goal-getter, but if the club could get a striker who plays through the middle, it would allow the Japanese attack to perform in his favoured wider role. Or does he now see himself as the Celtic centre-forward?
Eye on the Transfer Market
The way that Celtic will address their striker situation is likely through the transfer market. With Champions League football to offer, as well as the chance to win silverware, Celtic remain an extremely attractive club for many players.
And, with a new top scorer potentially shaping Celtic’s title charge next season, this will be vital for sports betting operators looking to offer betting markets on Celtic being triumphant once again.
Conclusion
Odsonne Edouard and Kyogo Furuhashi have set high benchmarks, leading Celtic to silverware with consistent goalscoring. As another era comes to an end, the next chapter beckons. Whether it’s Idah, Maeda, or a new arrival, the race to be Celtic’s next leading marksman is underway.
