KYOGO FURUHASHI has thanked his Celtic team-mates for their support after he admitted to being “shocked and disappointed” when he learned he had been left out of the Japan World Cup squad.
The pacy striker had hoped to be lining up alongside Daizen Maeda when his nation kick off their global glory bid against Germany in the soccer showpiece in Qatar this afternoon.
Kyogo, however, admitted he did not get the chance to remain depressed when his Hoops colleagues rallied round, as CQN reported yesterday.
WELCOME TO PARADISE…Kyogo Furuhashi scores one of his hat-trick in Celtic’s 6-0 win over Dundee on his Parkhead debut on August 8 2021.
SMILES BETTER…Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates one of his double in the 2-1 League Cup Final victory over Hibs at Hampden in December last year.
Love in Paradise is something the speedy hitman has enjoyed since day one when he took his bow in front of the Celtic fans in the Premiership match against Dundee on August 8 last year and made the most of his chance to make a first impression.
The £4.6million buy from J-League outfit Vissel Kobe shredded the Dens Parkers’ rearguard as he fired in a breathtaking hat-trick as Ange Postecoglou’s side romped to a 6-0 victory.
It was love at first sight for Kyogo and his new legions of followers.
The livewire raider cemented his place in their affections when he claimed a second-half double salvo as the team overcame Hibs 2-1 in the League Cup Final four months later at Hampden to hand Postecoglou his first piece of silverware as Celtic manager.
JOY BHOY…Kyogo Furuhashi wheels away in delight after scoring Celtic’s third goal in the last minute to make it 3-2 against Dundee United earlier this month. Liel Abada added a stoppage-time fourth.
HAPPY DAZE…Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates with the fans as his Japanese countryman Daizen Maeda joins in.
HAPPY DAZE…Anthony Ralston joins in.
HAPPY DAZE…Matt O’Riley adds his congratulations.
HAPPY DAZE…James Forrest takes his turn.
HAPPY DAZE…Greg Taylor offers a hug.
HAPPY DAZE…Liel Abada says well done.
JUST GR-EIGHT…Kyogo’s making a name for himself.
Kyogo missed over three months of the campaign with knee and hamstring injuries, but still finished as the club’s top marksman with 20 strikes.
He has hit the ground running this time around with 11 goals, including a blistering first-half hat-trick in the rollicking 9-0 performance against devastated Dundee United at Tannadice in August.
Kyogo will be out to show Japan what they missed when the Premiership restarts against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on December 17.
After all, “All You Need Is Love”, as a band called The Beatles used to serenade us with back in the day.
