It has been a fair few months since Kyogo Furuhashi departed the Celtic scene.
On the whole, and especially from an attacking sense, Celtic have reacted well, especially given that the powers that be didn’t replace him during the January transfer window.
Daizen Maeda has gone goal crazy since, but his 28th strike of the season on Sunday wasn’t enough to stop another defeat in the Glasgow derby.
Kyogo started the Ibrox horror show after the turn of the year, but he still left a lasting legacy of the highest order in this fixture.
The Japan international netted eight goals in total against Rangers, including at Celtic Park, Ibrox and Hampden.
But even with the in-form Maeda starting up top over the weekend, John Hartson still wanted to make a point that might make him unpopular.
John Hartson on Celtic being without Kyogo Furuhashi against Rangers
This was the first time Celtic had faced Rangers without Kyogo and you wonder the damage he could have caused if he was still here.
Hartson feels the 30-year-old was a ‘miss’ for the champions-elect, especially when he was watching a few balls ‘flashing across the six-yard box’.
The legendary striker admitted that his comments might be ‘shot down’, but he hasn’t heard much talk of Kyogo being a loss since the Rangers defeat, as he told Go Radio.
“Mentioning Kyogo, no-one has mentioned Kyogo,” said Hartson. “I haven’t heard one person say anything. It’s irrelevant now.
Hartson then laughs: “But I thought they missed Kyogo. It’s gone now. It’s finished. I don’t want to be shot down for saying that.
“There were a few balls that were crossed in or coming flashing across the six-yard box. You wanted someone, I know Maeda has come in and he has been instrumental with Kyogo being sold.”
Life becomes more difficult for Kyogo at Rennes
The timing of Kyogo’s exit – midway through a season, and that a campaign where Celtic could win a Treble – to joining a team in a relegation battle in France, was a huge surprise for all.
Whatever the real reasons behind it all, only the man himself can answer that question, but so far, it hasn’t gone well, at all.
Perhaps Kyogo needs a pre-season and the next campaign to prove his worth, but he needs to win over the new manager – Habib Beye – who replaced the man who brought him in – Jorge Sampaoli.
| Competition | Games | Goals | Assists | Minutes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Ligue 1 | 4 | – | – | 112′ |
| Total 24/25: | 4 | – | – | 112 | |
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