Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi has enjoyed a slightly different role at times this season under the stewardship of Brendan Rodgers.
As we head into the campaign’s final stretch, the Japan international has registered 15 goals and four assists in 41 appearances across all competitions [Transfermarkt].
It hasn’t been all plain sailing for Furuhashi in 2023/24; however, he has been at the forefront of our recent upturn in fortunes, and we have Adam Idah alongside Hyeongyu Oh to add depth in attack.
Rodgers has sometimes utilised the former Vissel Kobe man in a deeper role or in a position to connect the middle and front, though there have been times where he has drifted in and out of focus.
Nevertheless, our talisman always seems to show up in the Glasgow Derby, scoring two decisive goals to give the Bhoys back-to-back victories over Rangers at Ibrox and Parkhead.
Of course, we travel to face our rivals in Govan on Sunday, and you wouldn’t bet against Furuhashi being the match-winner on a day when the Hoops could make a major statement in the Scottish Premiership title race.
Jackie McNamara explains how to make Kyogo Furuhashi thrive
Furuhashi is an extremely difficult force to contend with at full flight and thrives off his elite movement and ability to evade opposition backlines.
Speaking to Sky Sports, former Celtic icon Jackie McNamara believes that ensuring he isn’t playing with his back to goal is the key for Rodgers to get the best out of the 29-year-old during the season run-in, something that we have been getting closer to over the past few weeks.
He stated: “I think certain teams are sitting in against them, which makes it a bit more difficult. You’re not seeing the best of the likes of Kyogo, you see that when they’re at their best and they’re pressing.
“It sets the tone, allows the midfield to come up and it creates space for him, it’s difficult for the opposition to get back in.
“I think we’ve seen that in the last few weeks, getting back to that. I think when they’ve got the space to go into, Kyogo isn’t getting picked up and he not got his back to goal. He’s always better when he’s facing the opposition goal, and there’s space to run into.”
He later added: “There’s been good signs the last few weeks, they’re moving the ball quicker, creating opportunities.”
Sometimes, it takes time for a manager to figure out how to fit certain players into their methodology, though it looks like we are starting to see Furuhashi finding more space within Rodgers’ system.
Once the action commences on Sunday, it would be brilliant to see him play a part in Celtic emerging victorious from Ibrox.
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