Kyogo Furuhashi discloses his big Celtic target this season to Japanese media

By David Walton

October 6, 2021

Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi has told the Japanese media that he wants to exceed Odsonne Edouard’s goal tally from last season.

Edouard didn’t have the greatest of spells yet still managed to slot home 18 league goals last term [Transfermarkt]. Kyogo, however, has come in and reignited the Celtic support in their adulation for him.

So far, he’s off to a flying start with eight goals to his name. That’s despite the fact he was injured for the best part of a month too. Had he not been, goodness knows how many goals he would have to show.

He’s been taking part in an interview with Japanese outlet Number Web, where he outlines his goal for the season as well as addressing how he wants to make a similar long-term impact to that of Shunsuke Nakamura:

“First of all, as for my result at the club, I would like to score more than 20 goals this season. It’s a club that is considered to be one of the top two in Scotland, so that should be normal. Last season [Odsonne] Edouard scored 18 goals in the league, so I want to exceed that.

“I’m a teammate, so I’m just grateful to the team that they trust the players right after joining. Whether it’s at centre- forward or the side, I have a strong desire to get results in any given position.

“Just as Mr. Shunsuke [Nakamura] created the image that ‘Japanese people are amazing’ at Celtic, I hope to create an environment where Japanese players can easily become familiar by playing an active role. I am different from Shunsuke-san, but I would like to continue doing what I can to establish myself and have people say “Furuhashi is amazing”.

Kyogo Furuhashi already bolstering Japanese football’s reputation

Kyogo is only the third Japanese player to represent Celtic. He follows the sensational Nakamura and the disappointing Koki Mizuno. But even though it’s been a mixed bag with Japanese talents so far, there was real excitement when Furuhashi came through the Parkhead gates.

His movement is by far the best of any striker in Scottish football. His footballing intelligence, meanwhile, is right up there with anyone in the UK. This is a special talent, and why Kyogo hasn’t managed a move to Europe before now is anyone’s guess.

At 26, Celtic are buying a a talent who could be about to commit his peak years to the club. That would be an even more exciting prospect for supporters. That’s a talking point for further down the line of course.

For now, Kyogo can be satisfied that he’s already bolstering the reputation of Japanese football in Scotland. There’s now an intrigue from supporters about the prospect of other potential hidden gems in Japan.

Ange Postecoglou has already stated that the J-League is a market he’ll continue to look at. Not surprising considering he worked there in the past. But it’s something the Celtic supporters will definitely get behind given the success of Kyogo so far.

Even this early, it’s fair to say he’s opening doors for other talents back in Japan. It’ll be intriguing to see who Celtic decide to go for next.

In other news, Celtic fans can watch young Parkhead duo’s vital Scotland U21 clash for free tomorrow