Silver and Goals – Kyogo’s Top Five Moments Playing For Celtic

Netting on 85 occasions in 165 matches for Celtic, Kyogo will rightfully be classed as a modern-day Hoops icon as he departs for new environs with Rennes.

Kyogo
Kyogo publicity phot for Rennes after his move from Celtic. Photo Rennes FC

Below we take a look back at his top five moments during his legendary three-and-a-half year spell in Glasgow.

5 – Hat-trick v Dundee – August 2021

Kyogo's hat-trick against Dundee
Celtic s Kyogo Furuhashi centre with the match ball, after scoring a hat-trick, Photo Jane Barlow

On the back of perpetual crisis, Celtic were in desperate need of a new talisman, a fresh star man to ignite the Ange Postecoglou revolution. Kyogo’s hat-trick against Dundee in August 2021 exemplified to Hoops supporters that their new £4.5m Japanese hero was the real deal. Post-match, Postecoglou said “there is more to come,” of the then 26 year-old. Celtic’s new manager certainly wasn’t wrong.


4 – Goal v Atletico Madrid – October 2023

Kyogo notched up eight European goals during his tenure at Celtic – his best was versus Spanish giants Atletico Madrid in last season’s underwhelming Champions League campaign. A perfect summation of his exceptional movement and interchange play coupled with a composed finish against one of the finest goalkeepers in the world, Jan Oblak. Unfortunate not to win the game, it was still a memorable night at Paradise.


3 – Winner at Ibrox – September 2023

Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic side were under immense pressure heading into the first Glasgow Derby last season. Kyogo’s instinctual half-volley finish seemed to take everyone by surprise. The hush in the stadium made it even sweeter. Between this winning strike at Ibrox which beyond doubt ended Michael Beale’s short-reign as Gers boss, or Kyogo’s beautiful strike five months later at Celtic Park against the same opposition but a different manager, it was tough to choose from.


2 – League Cup final double against theRangers – February 2023

 

A cup final double to secure a trophy against your arch-rivals. Does it get any better than that? Crucially, this was Celtic’s first trophy of three in season 2022/2023. En route to an historic eighth Treble, Kyogo was the focal-point. His linkup play in the second half of that season with Reo Hatate and Aaron Mooy in particular was laid bare during this iconic Scottish League Cup final. Do not lament me for waxing lyrical about his intelligent movement, again. But if you have spare time, go and watch the second goal as Celtic went onto defeat theRangers 2-1. Pure class from the Japanese frontman.


1 – League Cup final double against Hibs – December 2021

After a trophyless, and quite frankly disastrous 2020/2021 season, faith was finally restored courtesy of Kyogo’s quality brace to seal Ange Postecoglou’s first trophy as Celtic manager. Two stunning goals, but the man from Japan’s second – lobbing it over the helpless Hibees goalkeeper Matt Macey was unquestionably his greatest moment in a Celtic jersey. An injury-doubt for the game, Kyogo single handedly won the Hoops their first trophy in front of a jubilant support for two years. The emotion for supporters at Hampden after suffering a tumultuous period of not being able to go to games for a sustained period of time was palpable inside the ground. This was all thanks to one man – Kyogo Furuhashi.

What is your favourite Kyogo moment?

Here’s Kyogo’s goodbye message to Celtic…

Kyogo says his goodbyes
Kyogo says his goodbyes

And a thank you and goodbye message to the Celtic support…

Kyogo's goodbye message to Celtic
Kyogo’s goodbye message to Celtic

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.

1 Comment

  1. Missed Jota, but absolutely gutted over Kyogo. Hopefully Rennes will be relegated and Kyogo will realise his mistake and he is on the plane home to Glasgow. Love the guy! COYBIG!