Kenny Dalglish has had his say on how Celtic are doing recently, whilst he also insists that Kyogo Furuhashi looks as if he is loving life at the moment. The diminutive Japan star was brought to the club by Ange Postecoglou, whom he knew from his time in the J-League and its safe to say he has found his feet since then.
Danny McGrain of Celtic Legends talks with Kenny Dalglish of Liverpool Legends during the charity challenge match at Celtic Park on October 4, 2006 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
With 13 goals so far this season, Kyogo is fast becoming essential to the way that Ange and Celtic operates. His absence to injury was felt heavily after being without him for a fortnight or so. Dalglish says that it is obvious that Kyogo is enjoying his football at the minute and that Celtic would not entertain any glancing eyes from England or anywhere else for that matter.
Writing in his Sunday Post column, he said: “Of course, success brings a glare from elsewhere, and I don’t think any of us would be surprised if Kyogo is already now on the radar of other clubs. But any interested parties would also know that they are unlikely to receive any encouragement from Celtic about trying to prise their main man away any time soon.”
Kyogo Furuhashi of Celtic celebrates with teammate Liel Abada after scoring their side’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League group G match between Ferencvarosi TC and Celtic FC at Groupama Arena on November 04, 2021 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Laszlo Szirtesi/Getty Images)
“Kyogo is clearly enjoying his football. You can see that with the way he plays, and the way he celebrates scoring with his team-mates.That’s all part of the overall package, and why I think Celtic look in a very good place just now.There has been positive progress. Aside from Kyogo, Jota and Liel Abada give them such brilliant options and quality.”
Dalglish also asserted the belief of many when he says Kyogo’s best position is at centre-forward. He said: “He is a quality centre-forward, and that is his best position. The slight concern for Ange will be keeping the player going, and in a good place, between now and the winter break. There are seven weeks to go before that, and in that time Celtic play two more European ties, a League Cup semi-final and possibly a Final. They also have crucial league fixtures, including Rangers coming to Parkhead.”
Liel Abada and Kyogo Furuhashi of Celtic celebrates the victory after the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Hibernian FC and Celtic FC at on October 27, 2021 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
The Club legend also thinks that if the Japanese international stays fit, Celtic have a good chance to win the title this year. He added: “If Kyogo can come through this period unscathed, and play a part in it all as the manager sees fit, then Celtic should be looking good for the second half of the season.”
Sir Kenny is right on point with his assessment of the situation Celtic are in with Kyogo; the player is far to valuable at this stage to be thinking of flogging at the first big offer we receive from the Premier League or elsewhere. The rebuild is beginning to take shape and Ange will need all hands on deck for the upcoming fight to wrestle our crown back from the other side of the city. Most would agree also that his best position is through the middle, where he can wreck havoc on gullible, unsuspecting defenders in the SPFL and beyond. If we manage to keep Kyogo Furuhashi fit and firing, this title could be ours for sure.
Paul Gillespie
