One name has dominated the Celtic conversation over the last 24 hours:
Kyogo Furuhashi. The Hoops hero was one of the main characters of Ange Postecoglou’s successful spell, continuing to score goals since his departure a year ago.
2025 was a nightmare for the Japanese striker, with a shambolic move to Rennes forcing him to drop into the Championship with Birmingham, where he is yet to score a league goal.
It was reported on Thursday that Kyogo is set for a loan return to Celtic, but cold water has since been poured on this talk.
This left everyone on the edge of their seats ahead of Martin O’Neill’s press conference, where he has now commented on the rumours.
Kyogo Furuhashi back to Celtic… initial thoughts?
Martin O’Neill on Kyogo Furuhashi’s rumoured Celtic return
It’s no secret that O’Neill is desperate for a striker this winter; we all are.
But after such a rough year, is Kyogo the answer, and does he really want to come back to Glasgow with his World Cup spot at risk?
READ MORE: Alan Stubbs gives Celtic Kyogo alternative as potential ‘best striker in Scotland’ raised
The answer seems to be no, judging from what O’Neill told the press today.
He said: “I would’ve said that would probably be unlikely. It would be unlikely.
“I think everything’s premature. There’s a viewpoint that he wants to prove himself at Birmingham.
“We’re doing plenty of work on [transfer business], seriously. I know that’s a big generalisation, but we are doing that there.
“Hopefully we’ll try and get a few players in. But yeah, there’s a lot of work going on at the moment, and I do think that we’re well aware that we have to supplement the squad.”
Back to the drawing board then, as this week’s rumours appear to have been a false alarm.
This is the third consecutive transfer window in which Celtic have been desperate for a striker, since Kyogo himself departed last January.
In the summer, a whole host of names were linked as Adam Idah followed Kyogo out the door.
And here we are, at square one again…
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