KYOGO FURUHASHI has fired blanks in his past two games against Motherwell and Michael Beale’s Ibrox outfit to stall his bid to become a Half-Century Bhoy.
The prolific Japanese hitman, who netted 20 goals in his debut campaign and sits on 29 for this season, will lead the attack against Hearts on Sunday at Tynecastle where there could be double celebrations in store.
Ange Postecoglou’s men are just one win away from claiming their second successive title and Kyogo will have the opportunity to hit his landmark goal.
The Edinburgh team should be worried – the 28-year-old speedster has the happy knack of scoring against them.
PICK IT OUT…Kyogo Furuhashi smashes a close-range drive beyond Hearts keeper Craig Gordon for the winner in December 2021 at Parkhead.
Kyogo made his first appearance in Scotland on July 31 2021 when Postecoglou, in his first-ever Premiership outing, pitched him on as a late substitute against the Gorgie club with the score standing at 1-1.
There were only 11 minutes remaining when the J-League recruit replaced Liel Abada as the new manager showed ambition by going for the win.
A last-gasp header from John Souttar spoiled the occasion for the visitors and, since that Sunday afternoon in the capital, Kyogo has faced up to Hearts on six occasions – and scored in every single one of them.
The international raider is determined to play his part in the continuing Hoops success story and said: “I want to enjoy the games.
THE FACE OF A WINNER…Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates the points-clincher in the crucial victory against the Edinburgh side on December 2 2021.
“We still have five league games left and we want to enjoy it as much as we did in the past seasons.
“While I’ve been here at the club, a lot of players have left and a lot of players have come in. I’m honoured to be able to stay at the club and play here. As I said, I want to enjoy this day.
“I think it’s important not to stick with the idea of winning the titles. We think this is another game in the league. We will prepare and try to win the game.”
Kyogo continues to remain laser beam focused and, speaking to The Scotsman, continued: “As I always say, everyone is supporting me to get goals. I just work hard to provide something back for them because they support me all the time.
“Being at this club is an honour already, by scoring the goals I can give something back to the supporters and the club. We always get the win because we are united and work hard for it.”
CELEBRATIONS…hitman Kyogo Furuhashi in trademark pose after one of his 49 Celtic goals.
The champions are, of course, on the brink of a magnificent treble with the Scottish Cup Final against Inverness Caley Thistle at Hampden scheduled for a 5.30pm kick-off on Saturday June 3.
Kyogo has a 100 per cent record of delivering the goals – and the goods – in showpiece encounters at the national stadium.
Last season, a second-half double from the bargain £4.6million purchase from Vissel Kobe sealed Postecoglou’s first piece of silverware as Celtic manager when the Parkhead men fought back to overcome Hibs 2-1 in the League Cup Final in December 2021.
PARADISE…Kyogo Furuhashi looks to the heavens after striking for the Hoops.
In February, Kyogo repeated the two-goal feat as downed Ibrox opposition in the showdown in the same competition.
There are no rash promises from the fans’ favourite who added: “We will see the results at the end of the season. Every game we work hard and we will see.”
And the Celtic fans, like their heroes, are more than likely to enjoy what they are witnessing between now and the curtain coming down at Hampden early next month.
