ANGE POSTECOGLOU hailed Kyogo Furuhashi after the all-action frontman did the double double in the League Cup Final at Hampden.
The Japanese striker swooped twice to claim the Hoops’ strikes that made certain the Viaplay trophy would be bedecked in green and white ribbons after a rollicking encounter at Hampden against their Ibrox opponents.
It was a case of déjà vu after Kyogo had performed the same feat in last season’s showpiece shoot-out when he fired in two in the 2-1 comeback triumph over Hibs in the competition’s grand finale, branded as the Premier Sports at the time.
NUMBER ONE…Kyogo Furuhashi pounces to fire the opening goal beyond Allan McGregor.
NUMBER TWO…Kyogo Furuhashi is on his back after turning in a pass from Reo Hatate for what turned out to be the winning goal. Allan McGregor, Borna Barisic and Connor Goldson have that sinking feeling.
The lightning-swift raider, who ended last term as the champions’ top marksman with 20 goals, has now surpassed that tally by four as he continues to pile on the misery to opposing rearguards.
Postecoglou said: “It’s invaluable to have a player who is willing to do everything in his power to help the team.
“It’s not just about his goals. Obviously, the goals are the most important thing, but he just works so hard.
“He is not floating about out there just waiting for a chance, he is running his socks off to do what other strikers won’t do because he knows it’s the right thing for the team.”
SMILES BETTER…Kyogo Furuhashi shows off his second successive League Cup.
The delighted Hoops boss, speaking to the Glasgow Times, added: “Players at this club are often measured by how they perform on the biggest of stages and he delivers again.
“You look at his size and the players he is up against and he doesn’t shirk anything.
“He puts the opposition under pressure, he is so clever with his movement, and he wants to be front and centre when the opportunities are there.
“He has been outstanding from the moment he joined this club.”
KYOGO DOUBLE AND A PERFECT TEN FOR McGREGOR
