KYOGO, KENNY: RODGERS OPENS UP

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KYOGO FURUHASHI and Johnny Kenny are two Celts in the news – and Brendan Rodgers has opened up on his thoughts on the strikers.

The Japanese international hitman, who took his Hoops goal haul to 85 with his double in the 4-1 win over Ross County in Dingwall at the weekend, has been linked with a move from the champions.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 star made his competitive debut as a second-half substitute in the Highlands and faces a make-or-break couple of weeks in this transfer window after returning from his season-long loan at Shamrock Rovers.

Speculation continues to surround Kyogo who will be 30 this month.

WHAT A DOUBLE…Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates his second goal against Ross County as Johnny Kenny races to congratulate his Celtic striking partner.

The lightning-swift attack-leader has been a prolific marksman since arriving at the club from J-League Vissel Kobe in July 2021 as one of Ange Postecoglou’s priority signings for the ailing giants.

ON KYOGO, Rodgers admitted the club should always be aware of talk elsewhere and said: “With all these what-if scenarios, you have to be.

“I think the biggest thing is if a player doesn’t want to be here, then go.

“And then it’s at that point, then the club has to get the best possible deal.

“So I don’t ever see the point of keeping someone who doesn’t want to be here. But, for us, it’s all eventualities.

“That’s what we prepare for, whether it’s injuries, whether it’s transfers.

“I think you just have to, you always have to be ready and that’s our message.”

MAN OF THE MATCH…Kyogo Furuhashi accepts the accolade from the Celtic fans in the Highlands.

Rodgers, speaking to the Scottish Sun, continued: “But for him at this moment in time, he’s happy. He’s working well, he’s scoring goals and enjoying his football.

”People always look into something, you know, he didn’t celebrate enough or he didn’t do this or he didn’t do that.

“I see him every day, I see his work. I see his intensity and maybe he scores so much that he doesn’t really have to celebrate madly all the time.

“Or maybe it was too cold!

“But he’s just the same guy. There will always be wee bits and pieces around him. But, no, he’s fine and he’ll travel to Dundee.”

ON KENNY, the Celtic gaffer reflected on the 21-year-old forward’s display in Dingwall and commented: “I was delighted for Johnny. Obviously, the young player has come in before, then he had to go away, and I hadn’t seen him before.

“But, coming back in and speaking to the guys, yeah, he looks a bit stronger than he was before.

“The one thing that I love with young players is the enthusiasm. Because, with enthusiasm there’s no expectation, they just come and play, and they come and run, and that’s what he gave when he came on to the pitch.

“I would say the same thing to older players, as long as you maintain your enthusiasm for the game, then you just go and play – and Johnny did that when he came into the game.”

DEBUT BHOY…Johnny Kenny is closely marked by Ross County defender Elijah Campbell.

Rodgers, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “Straight away his contact and his touch with the ball was good, he was on the move.

“At the fourth goal, Johnny was there or thereabouts, that created the chaos in the box and Luke McCowan finished well.

“So, he’s come in, he’s only been in just over a week, we’ll continue to monitor him, he’ll be around it and then it’s down to the next decision – is he going to stay and be a part of it or does he still need more game-time on loan.

“But at this moment I’ve been really pleased. He showed a wonderful enthusiasm for football, and to work, and he’s done really well.

“And I can see, 25 yards in, he’s a really, really good finisher.”

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