Trying – and failing – to bring Kyogo back to replace himself is yet another damning indictment of Celtic’s recruitment process…
As was pointed out on The Celtic Star yesterday, Martin O’Neill would probably have got him back to his best but we’ll never know. At his short mainstream media conference this afternoon Martin was asked about the likelihood of Kyogo making a return to Celtic in the January transfer window.
The Celtic manager replied: “I would have said that would probably be unlikely. I think that it would be unlikely.”
In a follow up question O’Neill was asked in the reports of Kyogo returning were premature and if it’s unlikely at Celtic’s or Birmingham’s end?
Martin responded: “No, I think everything is premature. I think there is a viewpoint that he wants to really prove himself at Birmingham, which is no surprise.”
So from that it seems Celtic did indeed ask the question but Kyogo doesn’t want to leave Birmingham for a return to Celtic. An altogether embarrassing little episode that adds another sorry saga to the list of dramas and setbacks we’ve had to endure since Kyogo left last January..
Kyogo Furahashi is NOT nearing a dramatic return to Celtic almost a year after his £10 million move to Rennes.
Rather than drumming up excitement among the supporters, as the Celtic Board might have hoed it’s now got fans slamming their incompetence on the recruitment front and with justification.
Kyogo failed to make an impact in France before deciding to try his luck in the English championship with Birmingham City, and just like his time at Rennes, his short period at St Andrews has been similarly disappointing as he’s found the net just once in 24 appearances for the Brummies.
Indeed the Japanese international has been limited to a single solitary strike in the previous 12 months, as his form took a drastic for the worse, and it has to be said, if you took away the romanticism and nostalgia surrounding the player, would you be happy with his signing anyway? if you’re honest with yourself it would be a resounding no.
We’ve actually tried to replace Kyogo, a full year after losing his services, with Kyogo and FAILED miserably. World class in everything you do eh Michael?
Celtic did sign free agent injury prone Kelechi Iheancho but could land a loan deal for a former player who is out of the picture at his current club which is mid table in the second tier of English football. Is this the best we can muste, while sitting with £70m in the bank? The way our club is being run these days, is nothing but an utter shambles.
“There is a viewpoint that he wants to really prove himself at Birmingham, a return would probably be unlikely” 💬
Martin O’Neill discusses the possibility of a potential Kyogo Furuhashi return and the feeling in the Celtic camp after a week which saw Wilfried Nancy sacked 🟢 pic.twitter.com/9EO28J7bmJ
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 9, 2026
Kyogo could have done a job for Celtic and could even have worked his way into the World Cup squad had he re-established his goalscoring form playing in a team that would suit his game much better than Birmingham City. With a league title to be won and under the guidance of an interim manager, we don’t have the luxury of identifying targets.
Celtic needs ready made first team players ready to contribute. Players better than we currently have, and Kyogo is just that as far as our strike-force is concerned.
He’s a proven goalscorer in this league, and with Martin’s track record in man management, he could have found a way to get Kyogo to rediscover his form of old. But it’s not happening and having asked the question and being knocked back by the player, Celtic will now need to look again at their signing targets.
Meanwhile Hearts and theRangers are busy adding to their squads for the title run-in.
Celtic did make one signing announcement today
To be fair to Celtic they did make one signing announcement today, a deal with water supplier. Some of the comments below Celtic’s announcement are fairly amusing.
💧🤝 Celtic Football Club is delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with Avant Water, where Avant will become the Official Water Partner to the club, proudly providing hydration and fuel to the Celtic squads.
More info below ⤵️#CelticFC🍀
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 9, 2026
All Books Now Half Price in the Celtic Star Books January Sale…
Please note that p&p is priced at £4.50 is only charged on ONE book so you can buy as many of our books as you like and the postage cost will remain the same. Why not expand your Celtic library today?
The lure of Balsall Heath proves too great yet again.
Kyogo wisely prefers to keep his £46k a week plus bonuses with B’ham.
Couldn’t wait to get away from Hoops.
Hail Hail
Another watershed moment in the history of Celtic. Drink up loads. World class water supplier.