Celtic hero Shunsuke Nakamura has thrown his support behind Kyogo Furuhashi, and believes there’s more to come from the Japan international.
Nakamura was the first Japanese player at Celtic. Signed by Gordon Strachan, his career at Paradise was littered with iconic moments. His free kick against Manchester United in the Champions League, for example. Or, his long-range screamer against Rangers. His league-winning goal against Kilmarnock. We could go on.
The former Celtic midfielder has been imparting his wisdom to Kyogo Furuhashi. With Nakamura still playing, even at 43, he’s not a great deal of time to devote to Kyogo. However, he is in contact with the Bhoys striker, and has given plenty of advice.
And he thinks that Kyogo can hit even bigger heights in the Green and White.
Nakamura said [Sun]:
“Opportunities are everywhere. It depends on you whether you can grab it or not. I am sure Kyogo will do it.
“He is doing well. In fact, that hat-trick was more than excellent.
“Usually strikers in Scotland are very big and powerful. Defenders are the same. Generally for strikers who are not big like Kyogo, they need good passes or crosses to score goals.
“When he played for Vissel Kobe, Andres Iniesta gave him excellent passes and Kyogo scored a lot.
“But I think he can score more goals at Celtic.”
Shunsuke Nakamura; still a Celtic legend, still a fan, and a vital resource for Kyogo Furuhashi
In the same interview, Nakamura talked about his text messages with Kyogo, as well as still being a supporter of the club. He’ll have some pride, then, in seeing Kyogo follow the trail that he blazed 16 years ago.
After all, it can’t be easy. Moving to an entirely new country, adapting to the style of football, and being the first of a nation to move to a particular club. Unfortunately, you become the barometer with which all other signings of that nationality are compared. Regardless of style, position or anything else.
The way Naka did it, though, with his unbelievable technique and love for a screamer, means that automatically, people are going to compare any Japanese player to him. The standards he set were sky high.
But if you believe Naka himself, you’d get the impression that he thinks Kyogo can go even further than he did. Score more goals, win more trophies. That’s real humility there.
As for Kyogo, he seems to be taking everything in his stride. Described as smiley and bubbly by his teammates, he seems to be adapting extremely well to life in Glasgow. Being the top scorer in two different countries won’t hinder that, of course.
Read more: Celtic readying transfer announcement?
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