KYOGO FURUHASHI has somersaulted from silverware to survival following his £10million switch from Celtic to Rennes in January.
The one-time Hoops’ fans’ favourite, who scored 85 goals in his three and a half years at the champions, is still awaiting his first strike for the struggling French club.
Despite his far-from-convincing form at his new side, the 30-year-old frontman was still called up to the Japan squad for their international double-header against Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
HAPPIER TIMES…Kyogo Furuhashi is smiles better as he proudly displays his Premier Sports League Cup winner’s medal after Celtic’s Hampden triumph in December.
Celtic double-act Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda were unused substitutes in their nation’s 2-0 win yesterday which secured their spot in the World Cup, but there wasn’t even a place on the bench for Kyogo, as CQN reported.
All three are hoping to get the nod from manager Hajime Moriyasu for Tuesday’s home game against the Saudis.
The season is unravelling for Kyogo after winning a Premier Sports League Cup medal after Brendan Rodgers’ team’s penalty-kick shoot-out triumph over Rangers at Hampden on December 15.
Just over a month later, the pacy raider, who cost £4.6million when he was recruited by Ange Postecoglou from J-League Vissel Kobe in July 2021, was on his way to Ligue 1 – and just one start for Rennes.
“Even in difficult times I believe I can make a splash somewhere. To that end, I want to prepare well and polish the areas I can on the pitch. “That means I can perform well when I’m on the field.”
Pressure, however, continues to mount on Kyogo with reports in France already insisting Rennes head coach Beye has already identified his replacement in Udinese striker Florian Thauvin who will become a free agent in the summer.
