Celtic legend Chris Sutton has placed his full confidence in Kyogo Furuhashi to step up and deliver when the Hoops face Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup Final at Hampden Park this Sunday.
With the first piece of silverware of the season on the line, Sutton has highlighted Kyogo’s consistent ability to perform in the high-pressure cauldron of the Glasgow Derby.
Few players in recent years have had the impact that Kyogo has against Rangers. The Japanese striker has an impressive tally of eight goals in 15 appearances against Celtic’s fiercest rivals. His knack for scoring crucial goals in these encounters has made him a nightmare for the Rangers defence.
Writing in his column for the Daily Record, Chris Sutton didn’t mince his words when expressing his belief in Kyogo’s ability to be the difference-maker:
“Kyogo Furuhashi was fabulous and then frustrated. But, when it comes to facing Rangers, the Celtic striker is normally fantastic.
“And there’s no reason to think the lethal Japanese striker won’t extend his marvellous Old Firm record when he gets back to Hampden. Big players deliver in big games. When it comes to Scotland, there is no bigger fixture and there has been no bigger man in the contests recently than the striker. Kyogo’s recent run against Rangers has been terrific and, if Celtic are going to win the Premier Sports Cup on Sunday, there’s every reason to think he’ll be central to the success.
“Kyogo, who has been a contrasting watch over the past week. Last Saturday, I thought his goal against Hibs was absolutely sublime. The way he let James Forrest’s pass run through to collect with his back leg into his path was brilliant enough. But to then have the composure to feint and sit the keeper on his backside before lifting a finish over him was just gorgeous.
“Kyogo has made it his business to damage Rangers time and again over the past couple of years and he also has that happy knack of being able to do it at the National Stadium in the major finals and semi-finals. Fair enough, it needed Adam Idah to come off the bench and win the Scottish Cup Final for Brendan Rodgers’ team in May.
“But Kyogo was right back into the Old Firm groove when the teams met again for the first time this season with his excellent finish as Celtic cantered to a 3-0 success. It was one of the performances of this season which has really caught the eye. At times, Rodgers’ team have played some scintillating stuff.”
Sutton’s confidence in Kyogo is built on a proven track record. The former Celtic forward knows what it takes to shine in major finals and believes Kyogo’s movement, composure, and finishing will once again be key to unlocking Rangers’ defence.
Kyogo’s recent form has been a mixture of brilliance and frustration. His delightful goal against Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership highlighted his technical ability and instinctive finishing. However, his outing in the Champions League draw against Dinamo Zagreb was less effective, with the striker unable to make a significant impact.
