KYOGO FURUHASHI and Co are just four league goals away from matching the 111 total netted in Celtic’s unforgettable season of 1966/67.
Jock Stein’s unstoppable side swept all before them on their way to a record-breaking campaign that saw them become the first British club to conquer Europe.
Kyogo walloped in his 31st goal of the campaign in the 2-2 draw with St Mirren at Parkhead on Saturday and now he and his team-mates have two remaining games to play in their second successful Premiership campaign.
GOAL No. 31…the prolific Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates Celtic’s first equaliser in the draw with St Mirren.
Ange Postecoglou’s champions take on Hibs at Easter Road on Wednesday night before Flag Day against Aberdeen at Parkhead on Saturday when they will be presented with their second consecutive crown, the club’s eleventh in 12 years and their 53rd championship in their glorious history.
Kyogo is aware of the history of the club and the achievements of Stein’s fabulous team of all talents with natural goalscorers such as Bobby Lennox, Stevie Chalmers, Willie Wallace, John Hughes and Joe McBride.
The 28-year-old Japanese international hitman has heard the tales of the team that overcame mighty Inter Milan in Lisbon to lift the European Cup in majestic style.
Attempting to reach or even eclipse the goalscoring feat from 56 years ago, Kyogo said: “We need four more goals to match that record. Can I score four more?
“I don’t know if I can do it! But as a team, I believe it is definitely achievable in the remaining two games.
EUROPEAN CONQUEROR…Stevie Chalmers fires Celtic’s winner past Inter Milan keeper Guiliano Sarti in Lisbon on May 25 1967.
“I know there is a lot of history at this club and a lot of great achievements, from great teams like the Lisbon Lions. Teams like that one are the reason the club is where it is today and it’s the reason we are all here today.”
Kyogo acknowledged the team did not hit expected standards in the stalemate against the Paisley side, but is determined to complete the crusade in spectacular fashion before turning his attention to the Scottish Cup Final against Inverness Caley Thistle at Hampden a week on Saturday.
Reflecting on the weekend draw, the pacy frontman, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “It was a difficult game, but eventually we managed to get back level. Obviously, I was disappointed not to win the match.
FLAG HAPPY…Kyogo Furuhashi whips a near-post shot past Hearts keeper Zander Clark for the opening goal on Celtic’s way to a 2-0 title-clinching win at Tynecastle.
“We’ll work hard on things in training and try to make sure we win our next match. We try to set our standards as high as possible and if you can reach that level in every game, that is very good.
“It is not always possible, but you have to make that the target.”
Kyogo added: “I am not thinking about the Scottish Cup Final yet. We have two games to go and we want to win these matches.
“It will be important to be at our best in the Final because it is another big game with a trophy.
“But the most important thing is to focus on these games because we want to build some momentum before then. Continuity is very important for us.”