Tag Archives: Kyogo Furuhashi

Japanese Report: Ange Postecoglou expected to make double Celtic swoop

I suppose it was just a matter of time before these links became apparent. Everybody knows that Ange Postecoglou has a soft spot for Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate.

The Australian made both players transfer priorities when he became the manager of Celtic. Although Kyogo was signed almost straight away, Ange had to wait for Hatate.

And what signings they have been for Celtic. So good in fact, that Ange is now looking to take them to Tottenham with him. That’s according to reports in Japan.

The report from Sponichi said, “According to several sources, Tottenham, a Premier League powerhouse, has expressed interest in defender Ito and midfielder Hatate.

“Tottenham may bring in Furuhashi and other Japanese players who know their abilities well, the most likely candidate is said to be Ito, who has been developing in Germany.”

Now, the thing with Japanese journalists is that they don’t deal in the sort of sensationalised nonsense ours do.

They rarely get involved in hearsay and only go to print with stories that they think have legs in them.

Whether both would want to leave Celtic is another matter. Kyogo and Hatate have both said that they are happy at the club and have no reason to leave.

But would the temptation to join Ange (as well as quadrupling their wages) be enough to make them think twice?

Let’s hope not but just in case they do, Ange better make sure Daniel Levy’s debit card has an overdraft facility because they will cost him a very pretty penny.

“He’s very, very happy at Celtic” – David Friel delivers outstanding transfer news the Celtic support will love

After the craziness of Ange Postecoglou leaving Celtic for Spurs, speculation has been mounting over whether or not he will come calling for Kyogo Furuhashi.

Reports yesterday suggested that Ange could come in with a £20m bid for the Celtic talisman but until the Australian returns from his holiday, we will need to wait and see how that pans out.

But journalist, David Friel has delivered an update on the speculation that will delight the Celtic support.

Friel said [Clyde 1 Superscoreboard], “It was a story one of my colleagues down south at the weekend saying that Kyogo would be Ange Postecoglou’s number one target.

“I don’t think anybody is really surprised by that. He’s been the poster boy for Celtic in this period. He has been the number one striker. Scored so many goals in big games.

“We were speaking to Ange at the PFA awards a couple of weeks ago and he spoke about how Kyogo’s got levels to go yet. He thinks there is more to come from him. He’s only 28, he’s gonna be 29 in January. He thinks he’s still to reach his peak.

“So it’s no surprise that he would be keen to get him. And a lot of people are saying he may be a replacement for Harry Kane. I don’t believe that would be the case. I think he’d want him as a squad member.

“But the premise of the story was today that a lot of clubs are interested in Kyogo. A lot of clubs from the top five leagues. I believe several clubs from Italy, Spain and the Bundesliga have scouted him this season.

“But what I would also say is that Kyogo is very, very happy at Celtic. He is in no rush to leave. He is not going to agitate for a move. He’s a consummate professional.

“We’ve seen him speak through a translator, he’s always very respectful. He also has two years left on his deal, there would be no rush to sell him.  I think it would take a huge amount to sell him but there clearly is interest in Kyogo.”

This will be of a huge relief to the Celtic support. We all know the close bond that was shared between Ange and the Celtic striker.

At least we know that he is happy at the club and wants to stay and should a bid come from the former Celtic manager, the board must tell him where to shove it.

“I really love him” – Celtic star Kyogo gets emotional in outstanding tribute to former teammate

Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi has taken the time to pay tribute to his former teammate, Andres Iniesta ahead of today’s Scottish Cup Final against Inverness.

Kyogo was Iniesta’s teammate at Vissel Kobe where the pair helped bring success to the J League club.

The Celtic striker helped bring home the Japanese Cup and the Japanese Super Cup with Iniesta and as the Spanish legend leaves this club at the end of the season, Furuhashi paid tribute to his friend.

Speaking to Japanese outlet Diamond Online, Kyogo said, “That’s a difficult question. I can’t imagine what I would have done if I hadn’t met him, that’s how big that time was for me, and he developed a lot of my strengths.

“Off the pitch, I have nothing but respect for him. I like Andres as a human being more than I can express in words. I am really happy to have been able to play with him in the country of Japan and for the club Kobe.

“I really love him. “I want him to continue to play football like Andres for as long as possible, in whatever way he can. I want to score as many goals as I can in different places and do my best to get my name out there.”

Kyogo is on record as crediting the former Barcelona legend as having a huge impact on his career. The pair formed a lethal partnership which caught the eye of Ange Postecoglou.

The Celtic manager made Kyogo his first signing and convinced the board to shell out £4.5m for the Japanese international.

And what a signing he has been. Let’s hope Kyogo gets a couple this afternoon to help bring the Scottish Cup home to Celtic Park.

BBC man waxes lyrical about Kyogo after Celtic striker”s latest award

Kyogo Furuhashi has been impressing every single pundit, journalist and Celtic fan this season.

Finishing as the league’s top goalscorer, Kyogo also picked up a hattrick of awards before the weekend’s Scottish Football Writer’s Player of the Year Award.

Having beaten off stiff competition, BBC man Chick Young and President of the SWFA was lavish in his praise for Kyogo in a statement on the SWFA website.

Young said [SFWA],  “The voting for our player of the year was very tight.

Callum McGregor and Van Veen had sensational seasons… but the fact that Kyogo Furuhashi went beyond them underlines how good he has been.

“He is some player. A will of the wisp with an ability to see space where there seems to be none.

“A worthy addition to a list that goes all the way back to Billy McNeill.”

Wow. Considering Young’s long rumoured leanings towards a team that plays in blue, that’s quite the statement.

Of course, it’s all true. Kyogo has been phenomenal for Celtic since joining two seasons ago. And it seems he is just going to get better.

His form has seen him gain a recall to the Japan national side and that will do his confidence a world of good.

I’m looking forward to next season where I am positive that the Japanese striker will improve on last seasons Champions League  displays and terrorise Europe’s top defenders.