Kyogo Furuhashi has been one of Ange Postecoglou’s most inspired signings since the Australian took over as manager almost two seasons ago.
The Japanese striker has been at the very heart and soul of what Ange Postecoglou has been trying to build at the club.
Kyogo hit his 30th goal for Celtic this season at Tynecastle, his 50th in total, and has been nominated for the 2023 PFA Player of the Year Award.
But it could have been all so different for Kyogo and Celtic. In fact, it seems that if it wasn’t for Andres Iniesta, we might not even have seen the 28-year-old in a Celtic jersey at all.
At the PFA press conference, Kyogo was asked if he is still in contact with the former Barcelona midfielder.
Kyogo said [The Scottish Sun], “We’ve never had a deep conversation but sometimes he’ll say ‘How are you doing?’ And stuff like that. That’s all.
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“I was very happy to be told that from such a great player. Through playing with him, I got a lot of confidence to come over here.
“So I was ready to play. As I’ve got results, he must be happy for me.”
Kyogo joined Vissel Kobe in August 2018, three months after Iniesta. They both played together for three years at the J League club winning the Emperor’s Cup in 2019 and the Japanese Supercup in 2020.
Bizarrely, Vissel Kobe beat Ange Postecoglou’s Yokohama F Marinos on penalties in that Supercup Final. Kyogo scored Vissel’s second goal but never stepped up to take any of the seven penalties. Vissel eventually won 3-2 after an incredible set of spot kicks saw NINE misses in a row.
Kyogo is hoping to add to his medal collection in June as Celtic face Inverness Caley Thistle in the Scottish Cup Final. Let’s hope that this final goes a lot smoother than his last outing with Vissel Kobe.
In other news, Celtic confirm club record-breaking crowd for SWPL fixture