Kyogo Furuhashi was the Celtic player on media duties this afternoon in the build-up to this weekend’s match at home to Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.
It was announced today he received the December player of the month award in the division after excellent Celtic form that has seen him streak ahead as the club’s top scorer this season.
He also scored the crucial 2-2 equaliser at Ibrox earlier this week, ensuring the Bhoys started 2023 with a nine-point lead at the top of the table.
Kyogo’s reaction to that goal was noted by many Celtic supporters at the time. He didn’t even take any time to bask in the glory of a late derby equaliser, instead focused on kicking off immediately with the ball in hand.
67 Hail Hail asked him about that today, and the Bhoys forward told us: “We play to win every game and we believe that winning makes our fans smile.
“I didn’t want to waste a second in that scene. Whatever the match, if it’s that situation, I’ll do it that way.”
We also got the chance to ask him about more compatriots, Yuki Kobayashi and Tomoki Iwata, joining the already strong Japanese contingent at Celtic.
Kyogo said: “A lot of Japanese players have joined and there are many other good players as well. We all want to do the best for this club and have a good result in the end.
“I think they are looking forward to it. No matter who plays in the game, everyone is prepared and ready to play great football to win the match.”
Every Celtic supporter can look forward to what the striker can offer in the second half of the season. Breaching the 20-goal mark seems inevitable and he could well get closer to 30 or beyond.
With a kinder schedule and a trophy push ahead, if he can continue his hot streak of goalscoring, he could even be a contender for player of the year awards by the end of the season.
In other news, Celtic get Greg Taylor return timeline after hamstring scan.
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