James McFadden states what he noticed about Kyogo in his new role for Celtic at Ross County

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Kyogo Furuhashi pushed Celtic closer towards another Premiership title on Saturday.

Celtic put four goals past Ross County and, at the time, went 18 points clear at the top of the Premiership table.

That has been reduced to 15 after Rangers beat St Johnstone on Sunday, but it’s a case of when Brendan Rodgers wins another title rather than if.

Kyogo Furuhashi was the man to start things off in Dingwall because he opened the scoring after a brilliant cross from Alistair Johnston.

It wasn’t until Celtic entered the final ten minutes, plus stoppage-time, that they sealed the points and the goals that rewarded their performance.

Once again, it was Kyogo’s header that put the Bhoys back ahead, before Arne Engels and Luke McCowan helped themselves to goals.

One of the talking points after the match was Kyogo’s new role in the team.

James McFadden impressed by Kyogo Furuhashi after Celtic beat Ross County

This might be for the short term, and you would love to see Rodgers try it more, but injuries meant that the manager had to think outside of the box.

Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda’s absence meant that Kyogo started in a front two, alongside Adam Idah, without playing as an out-an-out winger.

James McFadden liked what he saw from Celtic’s starting striker and explained how Kyogo was ‘enjoying’ himself in his new role, as he told Sky Sports Football (11/01/25).

“We don’t normally see him, because he is playing in a different position, on the ball as much,” said McFadden.

“I think he has enjoyed it because his link-up play has been good. A bit quiet in the last 15 minutes or so, but he is definitely more involved.

“His all-round play has been excellent when he hasn’t played as a striker. When you are a striker, scoring goals matter and he has done that as well.”

Kyogo’s touches for Celtic in recent matches

When Kyogo is up top on his own, he will find that he doesn’t have many touches on the ball because it’s all about being ready for that final moment of action, so you won’t see him drifting out wide or dropping deep as much.

But, against Ross County, and with Idah alongside him, you saw a lot more of the player.

It’s great to see and fans will be hoping that Rodgers goes down this road again because it’s something fresh for Celtic to use against their opponents.

Here is the list of the touches Kyogo has made in his last five starts for Celtic in the Premiership.