Kyogo Furuhashi says Celtic boss wants to use him in the wide areas

By David Walton

August 3, 2021

Kyogo Furuhashi has stated that Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou wants to use him in the wide areas.

Furuhashi has the ability to play off either flank. However, he was a star with previous club Vissel Kobe playing as a centre-forward.

Furuhashi made his debut for the Hoops in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Hearts. In that particular cameo, it looked as though the Japanese international was told to play off the left-side.

And the player himself hinted yesterday that this is something we could see more of.

As quoted by the Daily Record, Furuhashi said: “The manager created an extremely interesting style of football with Marinos and of course he won the league. It was always a tough club to play against. I’m just excited. I’m now in his team and I get to be part of his style.

“The manager has brought me here to play in the wide areas but I am always thinking about scoring goals. He brought me over here and he believes I can be part of it.

“The fans can expect me to run, run run, to create opportunities. I also want to score and become a big name here at Celtic.”

Kyogo Furuhashi could be needed in more than one position at Celtic

It’s surprising to hear that Furuhashi has been told that he’ll be used out wide. Especially when you consider his superb return for Vissel Kobe as a centre-forward.

However, at the same time, Celtic don’t even have a natural left-winger at the football club. Perhaps Postecoglou sees Furuhashi as a potential Mohamed Elyounoussi replacement.

Whether that changes should Odsonne Edouard leave the club remains to be seen. But Furuhashi is a goalscorer, and the Celtic boss will be looking for ways to ensure he shows that trait on a regular basis.

Regardless, there’s a lot of excitement surrounding the Japanese international. It’s Celtic’s first major recruit from Asia since Ki Sung-Yeung’s arrival in 2010.

Throwing him in against Hearts was always going to be a tough ask. It’s easy to forget that he only came out of self-isolation a day beforehand. It’s what Furuhashi does in the coming weeks that will allow Celtic supporters to make a firm judgement on him.

And it looks as though he’ll be looking to impress off the flanks.

In other news, Report: Celtic to pay Joe Hart £15k-per-week with permanent move close