Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon has stated that Kyogo Furuhashi is one of the players in Ange Postecoglou’s squad he would like to have worked with.
The 27-year-old frontman has been on fine form this campaign and is currently the joint top scorer in the Scottish Premiership alongside Lawerence Shankland.
It is fair to say that the Japanese international has been a great success under Postecoglou, quickly becoming a fans favourite at Parkhead.
The Celtic number eight was the man on hand against Rangers on Monday afternoon, rescuing a point for the Hoops, which maintained our nine-point lead at the top.
Kyogo was one of Ange Postecoglou’s first major pieces of transfer business, arriving from the J-League, where the 57-year-old had spent the last few years managing.
The success of the Vissel Kobe man ultimately led to the arrival of more additions from the J-League, including the likes of Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate.
Speaking in a recent interview, former Celtic manager Neil Lennon revealed that out of the current members within Ange Postecoglou’s squad, Kyogo is one of the players he would most like to work with.
He said [Football Odds via the Glasgow Times]: “I like all the current Celtic players, I really like Kyogo Furuhashi and he’s one of the players I would have liked to have in my squad.
“He’s so clinical with all kinds of finishes and has great movement, he’s my favourite player at the minute.”
Of course, Kyogo isn’t the only forward player at the club, with Greek forward Giorgos Giakoumakis providing competition for the current Scottish Premiership top scorer.
Lennon was also full of praise for the former VVV-Venlo and AEK Athens striker, stating that he has improved ‘a hell of a lot’ since his arrival at Parkhead.
The 50-year-old also believes that Giakouamkis will have a big part to play in the Hoops title hopes this season, despite Kyogo currently being the number one striker option.
He continued: “He’s an excellent player. With myself being out in Cyprus and Giakoumakis being Greek there is a lot of interest in him out in Cyprus. He’s well thought of by the Greeks. He’s improved a hell of a lot since he stepped in at Celtic.
“His scoring record before he arrived in Scotland was excellent. Playing in probably an average Dutch side his record was great, and again at Celtic it is excellent.
“So again, I know he has only been there around 18 months, but I would hopefully like to see him stay for a little bit longer. I know he might be little bit frustrated by a lack of game-time, but I think he still has a huge part to play in Celtic’s season.”
Celtic previously failed to capitalise on untouched markets under Lennon and managers before him.
As arguably one of the standout players in the squad, it will come as no surprise to hear that Kyogo is a player Neil Lennon would have liked to have worked with.
His movement as a striker and hard work on/off the ball would be a joy for any head coach to manage, and that is why he has been a huge success under Ange Postecoglou.
The Celtic manager deserves huge credit for having faith in his knowledge of Japanese football and other leagues around the world, which has given the Bhoys a new edge.
Although he might have had a slight advantage on that front, Celtic supporters had been calling for our previous managers to shop in some more untouched markets, such as the J-League.
Of course, it is easy to say this all now in hindsight. But, the club really should have been looking to shop in some more different markets, as we are doing now.
Thankfully, we are seeing the benefits of it under Postecoglou, and there is no doubt that further arrivals from across the globe will be on the way in the next few windows.
In other news, “I find that incredible”; Chris Sutton hits out at Celtic Ibrox VAR flashpoint.
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