🚨 DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT AN ATTEMPT TO SAY KYOGO IS ON HENRIK LARSSON’S LEVEL. IT IS AN ARGUMENT THAT HE MIGHT JUST BE THE BEST SINCE THE SWEDE.

While the hallowed halls of Celtic Park have been graced by numerous footballing legends, Henrik Larsson’s name remains etched as one of the most iconic figures in the club’s rich history.

The Swedish forward’s influence at Celtic was unparalleled, setting standards that have been hard to match, let alone surpass.

Recent murmurs have emerged, thanks to X account @AgentScotland, comparing the performances of Celtic’s Kyogo to those of Larsson.

While no one in their right mind would prematurely label Kyogo as better than Larsson, a statistical analysis at this point in their respective Celtic careers does throw up some intriguing numbers.

Game Time and Involvement

Both Kyogo and Larsson have been compared in their first 88 games for the club. However, the playing minutes are a different story altogether. Kyogo has racked up 5795 minutes, translating to an average of approximately 66 minutes per game. In contrast, Larsson played 7556 minutes, which means he was on the pitch for about 86 minutes per game on average.

Goal Contributions

Interestingly, both forwards have netted 57 goals in these 88 games, which speaks volumes about Kyogo’s ability to find the net. However, when we delve deeper into minutes-per-goal, Kyogo takes a slight lead, scoring every 101 minutes compared to Larsson’s 132 minutes.

4 of Larsson’s goals came in Europe, compared to Kyogo’s 5. In derbies, Kyogo hit the back of the net 6 times in 9, while Larsson managed just 3 in 8.

But football isn’t just about personal milestones; it’s about contributing to the team’s success. Here’s where Larsson’s genius truly shines. With 19 assists, Larsson showcased his all-round playmaking abilities, as opposed to Kyogo’s 12 assists. When we combined both goals and assists, Larsson was involved in a goal contribution every 99 minutes, with Kyogo slightly edging him with a contribution every 84 minutes.

Respect the Past, Acknowledge the Present

There’s no denying that Kyogo’s stats are impressive. His efficiency in front of goal is commendable, and his contributions have been vital for Celtic. However, stats are just one facet of the game. Larsson’s sheer influence, leadership, and consistent performances over the years set him apart. His more rounded role, evident from the assist count, underscores his value beyond just goals. It could also be argued Larsson came up against better players, teams and squads over the piece.

Kyogo is carving out his legacy at Celtic, and while comparisons to legends like Larsson are inevitable, they should be taken with a grain of salt. Larsson’s place in Celtic folklore is unassailable. Kyogo, with his current trajectory, is certainly making a mark, but there’s a long way to go before he can be spoken about in the same breath as the iconic Swede.

For now, Celtic fans can cherish the memories of Larsson’s brilliance while celebrating the current displays that Kyogo brings to the table.