Celtic and Vissel Kobe have agreed on a deal for star forward Kyogo Furuhashi subject to a medical, and there’s some credit due to both Dom McKay and Ange Postecoglou here [Vissel Kobe].
Upon their arrival at Celtic Park, McKay was asked about tapping into markets like Japan and Australia for talent. Of course, with an A-League and J-League winner at the helm, it seemed natural that Postecoglou would be asked for his expertise.
Subject to a “local” medical [Vissel Kobe], that’s exactly what’s about to come to fruition. Furuhashi was named by 67 Hail Hail as an ambitious J-League target last month. As it turns out, the club had similar ideas, and there’s evidence of that from Postecoglou and McKay’s first press conference.
Responding to a question from the Celtic Exchange Podcast, McKay said:
“We want to leave no stone left unturned, in terms of bringing talent into the club. I jokingly said to Ange I’d love to get the next Nakamura over to Scotland-”
“You can still get Nakamura, he’s playing. He’s 43!”, Postecoglou interjected.
McKay continued:
“Absolutely, why would you not want to tap into [Postecoglou’s] experience? But we’ve got a wealth of experience, across the globe [in the] Celtic family. Through our formal scouting network, or our informal scouting network. So, our challenge is to bed Ange in, give him the support he needs and the team need, then look to evolve all of our structures.
“We will leave no stone left unturned to make sure we’ve got the best structures, to make sure this team, this club, is a club we all continue to be greatly proud of.”
Provided Celtic can get this over the line, McKay and Postecoglou deserve credit
According to Japan’s Daily Sports, Celtic and Vissel Kobe have agreed upon a £5m fee for the J-League sensation. Provided this all goes smoothly, it’s already a promise delivered by Dom McKay.
While the club have, admittedly, been slower than fans would like in bringing top talent to the club, it’s a massive step in the right direction. Of course, it could take time for Furuhashi to adapt to life in Scotland, but he’s a much-sought after talent.
With 6 Japan caps (and 3 goals), Furuhashi was wanted by both PSV Eindhoven and RSC Anderlecht, according to Daily Sports. Instead, via Vissel Kobe, it’s the Bhoys who have jumped the queue for the left-sided attacker.
The goals of Elyounoussi desperately needed replaced. It’s in his position, from last season, that we’d expect Furuhashi to thrive, cutting inside and getting shots and passes off.
These are exciting times for Celtic. And again, provided there’s no last-minute hitch, the Bhoys have been shrewd to deliver supporters a top-class talent.
It’s also a huge commercial opportunity for the club and Dom McKay, with Furuhashi Celtic shirts surely to be in demand. Solid work all-round.
READ MORE: What European icon said about potential new Celtic man
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