Celtic captain Callum McGregor has had his say on the upcoming departure of Kyogo Furuhashi to Rennes in Ligue 1 for a reported £10 million.
With McGregor becoming Celtic skipper in the summer of 2021 after the departure of Scott Brown, McGregor had big boots to fill. But coincidentally that summer, Kyogo would join the Bhoys, meaning that for the duration of the Japanese forward’s time in Glasgow, McGregor has been captain in a role that was huge pressure on an already experienced player.
But what followed in the years since has been nothing short of incredible, with each player playing their part in 3 league titles, 2 Scottish Cups, and 3 League Cups.
On Wednesday night, they also secured Champions League knockout playoff qualification for the first time, in what will be Kyogo’s parting gift to the Hoops, playing his part in an impressive European campaign before jetting to France yesterday.
However, despite some clearly feeling disappointed about a Kyogo move away from the Bhoys, McGregor, as he so often is, was classy in the tribute he paid to the Japanese striker this afternoon.
He said: (67 Hail Hail), How will he (Kyogo) be remembered? For big goals. Big games. A legend? A modern day legend, definitely. He has been so important for the team.
“Whatever the case is, I know the club will have done everything they can to keep him. But if that (win against Young Boys on Wednesday) is to be his last game or whatever, then he’s been outstanding.”
You couldn’t have highlighted Kyogo’s time at Celtic any better. Having worked alongside him, McGregor knows the Japanese forward better than anyone.
Back in 2021, when it felt like a major Hoops rebuild would take years, McGregor becoming captain and Kyogo joining the club shifted the tide back in Celtic’s favour, with Kyogo so often coming up with big goals in the Champions League, cup finals, and in Glasgow derbies during his time at the club.
