Callum McGregor compares 'special' Celtic sensation Kyogo to Dembele and Edouard

By John McGinley

March 13, 2023

Celtic captain Callum McGregor believes Kyogo Furuhashi is one of the best he’s ever played alongside, speaking at the Japanese star’s superb goal against Hearts on Saturday.

Kyogo flicked a beautiful back-heel effort past Zander Clark after bamboozling the Hearts defence with his movement to get onto the end of Alistair Johnston’s low cross. It was his 26th goal of the season, with the 30-goal barrier likely to be smashed through before the end of the season.

For McGregor, it’s a ‘special’ total and he’s been effusive with his praise for the striker, ranking him as high as former talents Moussa Dembele and Odsonne Edouard – both of whom excelled for the Bhoys.

Kyogo lauded by Celtic teammate

The Celtic captain said [Daily Record]: “He’s so good, he’s so sharp. He’s alive every time we go forward, his running. He makes one run, two runs, three runs and he never seems to get tired either. When the ball turns over, he’s pressing. He’s definitely right up there with one of the best that I’ve played with.”

When specifically asked about how he compares to Dembele and Edouard, McGregor continued: “Different styles, different players. Obviously, Moussa was more of a target man player who would get goals, Odsonne had a bit of both and Kyogo is just pure pace and clever runs and the way we play football is really simple and he is always disciplined to be in the box at the right time and finish off the moves.

“You can see why he gets so many goals. Those are special numbers, our job as players is to give him the platform to try and do that. He does a lot of unselfish running for the team as well. so he helps us and we have to help him as well and try to repay that with assists for the goals he wants.”

If we can keep the 28-year-old fit and firing, he will undoubtedly continue to rack up the goals that push Celtic to further trophy success this season. At his best, no defence in Scotland can really cope with him.

His quick thinking, intelligence and turn of pace are at a level we haven’t seen at Celtic for quite a while. Of course, as McGregor notes, he is a different kind of player to Dembele and Edouard but he’s been just as effective.

Hopefully, we can continue to keep him in the green and white jersey for a long time to come!

In other news, Callum McGregor shares class Celtic dressing room reaction to big Joe Hart moment.