We could be about to see the real Celtic as Ange Postecoglou intended

By Lewis Laird

April 25, 2022

Sunday afternoon marked the return of Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi, as he played his part in the 2-0 win over Ross County.

It is easy to forget just how significant an impact the 27-year old has made after missing out for the past few months due to injury.

His last outing from the start of a game came back on Boxing Day for the Bhoys’ trip to St Johnstone, where he sustained a long-term hamstring injury.

Before that injury, Kyogo played a crucial part in the title push as the injury-hit Celtic side looked to keep pace at the top of the league.

The Japanese internationalist also scored the two goals, which delivered Ange Postecoglou’s first silverware as Celtic manager in the 2-1 win over Hibs.

Despite the poor squad depth in the first half of the season, Kyogo and the rest of the squad continued to play some brilliant attacking football, leading to a run of unbeaten games lasting back to September.

With the absence of the Celtic frontman, Postecoglou’s side continued to play that free-flowing football in the final third, and there was always an air of excitement as to what it might look like with Kyogo back in action.

Yesterday, we got our first real glimpse of that, and it was terrific to watch at times, with the link-up and movement of Kyogo, Dazien Maeda and Jota.

Not only the forward players, but we also saw moments of the midfield linking up with Kyogo.

At one stage, Matt O’Riley attempted to slide the forward in behind the Ross County defence, which could have led to his second goal of the afternoon. But it was unfortunately called offside.

Even more to come from Kyogo and co.

It will have been a scary watch for opposition defences yesterday, as the Celtic forwards continued to cut through the County backline.

Despite only scoring two goals, it could have been much more for Ange Postecoglou’s squad, particularly in the first 45 minutes.

Kyogo has only just made his return from injury, but he looked as sharp as ever at times alongside Jota and Maeda during his 63 minutes on the park.

The Japanese frontman was impacting the game of players around him with his movement to open up space in the final third.

There will be even more to come from Kyogo and the rest of the forward players, who are only just getting started alongside one another.

The Celtic star will be looking to finish the season off strongly, starting with Sunday’s Glasgow derby fixture.

In other news, Micah Richards, Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer speak in awe of ‘incredible’ Celtic atmosphere.