Is Kyogo Furuhashi One Of Celtic’s Best Ever Big Game Players?

on April 27, 2023 at 5:31 pm

He’s been the man that Celtic can rely on in the big games this season but is Kyogo Furuhashi one of Celtic’s best ever big game players?

Furuhashi has an impressive 5 goals to his name in the last three matchups between these two teams. These goals have been crucial to Celtic going unbeaten in the last three editions of the Old Firm derby.

In other words, the Japanese forward has stepped up this season when Celtic have needed him the most. So does that put him among some of Celtic’s finest players in terms of performances in the big games?

We asked Neil Lennon and here’s what he had to say.

Kyogo Furuhashi One Of Celtic’s Best Ever Big Game Players?

Celtic have had many big game players over the years, such as Odsonne Edouard, Leigh Griffiths, Callum McGregor and James Forrest. Kyogo Furuhashi is the latest and you can tell he loves it, he’s swimming in it. Obviously, he’s worked with Ange Postecoglou before so there’s a comfort straight away.

Kyogo has taken to Celtic already, I’m so impressed with his attitude and movement. He’s also a very clean finisher, whether it’s with his left or right, that’s what I love about him.

Kyogo is Celtic’s go-to guy in these big games, he scored the most important goal at Ibrox in the 2-2 game when Rangers were winning and nearly cut the gap to six points with half the season to go. It was a pivotal goal because psychologically it kept Celtic ahead of Rangers.

Todd Cantwell Talking In The Press

If you’ve lost, it’s best to keep your head down and not come out with sound bites because it’s too late. The Glasgow public, from both sides, don’t take that sort of thing anyway.

I don’t know what Todd Cantwell’s comments were, but he needs to know he’s in an environment where he needs to win games. Nothing else matters to the Glasgow public. The sooner Cantwell is playing in a consistently-winning team then maybe he can make those sorts of quotations, but it doesn’t impress anybody.

Celtic Players That Could Make Premier League Move?

Celtic are full of players that could play in the Premier League, such as Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor, Alistair Johnston could all progress to England. I want to keep an eye out for Ryan Porteous who’s gone to Watford, he’s done very well there and he plays for Scotland.

John McGinn, Andy Robertson and other Scottish players who made the move to the Premier League show the way the SPFL develops players.

The next one to come through is difficult to say, for me. There’s been too big of a gap between Celtic, Rangers and the rest of the league. There needs to be more development in players so there can be a dent made in the league.

Joe Hart’s Celtic Future

Shay Given has said that even at 35, Joe Hart can be Celtic’s keeper for years to come. Is this the case or do they need to freshen this up?

Joe Hart has had a great career, and has done well at Celtic. Every season, any club is trying to evolve and have options for different positions as well as competition. For example, when Jovanovic left and Alistair Johnston came in it was seamless.

In Joe’s case, he has another season at least. People behind the scenes will be looking for alternatives if need be.

However, I wouldn’t argue with Shay Given about goalkeepers. He knows a good one when he sees one.

Step Up From Scottish Football To Premier League For A Manager

What you achieve in Scotland is a winning mentality. Brendan Rodgers touched on that when he went to Leicester City, he learned how to win and I learned how to win under Martin O’Neill. You have to go to clubs like Celtic or Leicester, where the demands are so high.

If Ange Postecoglou went to the Premier League, he would have the tools ready, such as the mental strength and a few trophies on his CV.

Given the strong link between Ireland and Celtic we recently took a look at ranking Celtic’s Best Ever Irish Players.

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