Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi silenced recent concerns over his goal-scoring form with a clinical brace in the 4-0 victory against St Johnstone at Celtic Park.
The double brought his tally to 10 goals in 25 appearances this season, a slower pace compared to previous campaigns but a sign that the Japanese forward is ready to rediscover his best form.
Despite Kyogo’s lean spell in front of goal, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has maintained his faith in the striker.
Speaking after the match, Rodgers emphasised the importance of team contributions over individual goal tallies: [Celtic TV]
“Two very good goals. I’m not necessarily concerned about players scoring goals or not. My teams have always had goals shared around the team. But it is important for strikers to hit the back of the net because that’s what they want, and it was a couple of very good finishes from Kyogo.”
Rodgers’ remarks highlight his confidence in Kyogo’s overall influence on the team, even when the goals haven’t been flowing. His movement, link-up play, and relentless work ethic remain integral to Celtic’s attacking approach.
It will come as no shock when Kyogo lines up at Ibrox on Thursday, looking to continue his impressive form against the Rangers.
By his own high standards, Kyogo’s current tally of 10 goals in 25 games is modest. In the 2022/23 campaign, Ange’s last, he notched 34 goals in all competitions, cementing his reputation as one of Scotland’s deadliest forwards.
Kyogo’s goals against St Johnstone showcased the qualities that make him so vital to Celtic’s attack. His first came from a clever run to meet a perfectly weighted pass, finished with precision. The second demonstrated his poacher’s instinct, reacting quickest to slot home from close range.
The brace was a timely reminder of Kyogo’s capabilities, particularly with the Glasgow Derby against Rangers looming on 2 January.
While Kyogo’s form has been under scrutiny, Celtic’s attacking depth has ensured the goals keep coming. The likes of Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kühn, and Reo Hatate have stepped up to share the scoring load, allowing Rodgers to rely on multiple threats in the final third.
