Ross McCormack admits Rangers are ‘petrified’ of one Celtic hero but it’s not Daizen Maeda

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Daizen Maeda has done a lot of damage to Rangers since he joined the club back in December 2021.

The Japanese winger is devastating when he is on form and his pace absolutely destroys opposition defences.

Maeda’s work rate also makes him a fan favourite and it’s little wonder the Celtic supporters love the Japan international.

However, looking forward to the upcoming League Cup final between Celtic and Rangers, former Ibrox player Ross McCormack says his old team are terrified of one player and, surprisingly, it’s not Maeda.

Rangers defenders are ‘terrified’ of Celtic hero Kyogo Furuhashi

McCormack told Hotline Live [9m 30s], “I don’t think when Rangers go to Celtic Park, there’s enough of a fear factor for Celtic going up against Dessers.

“And I flip that the other way and see every time Rangers go and play Celtic, the Rangers’ defence looks petrified at what Kyogo might do to them.

“And that’s the impact that Kyogo’s had on all the goals he’s scored against Rangers in the derby games. So Dessers, as I say, he’s good to a point. He does a job to a point.

“Is he what Rangers really need to go to the next level and be winning trophies and winning titles? I don’t think so.”

Kyogo Furuhashi’s Celtic record vs Rangers including League Cup final battering

Kyogo has faced Rangers 15 times during his time with Celtic. In those games, the Japanese has been on the winning side on nine occasions, drawing three and losing three.

The Celtic striker has scored eight goals across three domestic competitions as he keeps the Ibrox club in their place.

Here are all the games Kyogo has found the back of the net against Rangers:

Scottish Premiership

• 1.1.2023: Rangers 2 v 2 Celtic. Kyogo scored a late equaliser.
• 8.4.2023: Celtic 3 v 2 Rangers. A Kyogo double effectively seals the title.
• 3.9.2023: Rangers 0 v 1 Celtic: Kyogo scores the only goal of the game to clinch Ibrox win.
• 30.12.2023: Celtic 2 v 1 Rangers: New Year derby settled by another Kyogo goal.
• 01.09.2024: Celtic 3 v 0 Rangers: Kyogo scores a stunner in drubbing of Rangers at Celtic Park.

Scottish League Cup

• 26.02.2023: Rangers 1 v 2 Rangers. Kyogo does this:

And defeated Rangers with another double that helped Celtic on their way to a treble that season.

McCormack is right, Rangers are, and should be, petrified of the Celtic talisman.