KYOGO FURUHASHI will remain as Celtic’s main dangerman in the new season.
Brendan Rodgers has NO intention of selling the Japanese striker, despite recent speculation linking him with Urawa Red Diamonds in his homeland.
It’s not the first time the J-League outfit have been said to be poised to bring the international hitman back to Japan, as CQN reported in May.
However, the Hoops gaffer insists the 29-year-old attack-leader, who is under contract until June 2027, is going nowhere and is a pivotal figure in his plans for the upcoming campaign with the champions kicking off their bid for a fourth successive Premiership title against Kilmarnock at Parkhead a week tomorrow.
CITY SLICKER…Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates his strike against Pep Guardiola’s English champions in North Carolina on Wednesday.
Kyogo struggled to display his usual vim and vigour last time out when his striking rate dropped alarmingly from 34 the previous to 19 in Rodgers’ return to the club.
Following his £4.5million switch from Vissel Kobe in July 2021, the pacy raider claimed 20 strikes, despite missing four months of his debut season with two separate injuries.
In an interview with the Japanese media, Kyogo admitted: “It was a difficult season. Compared to last year, I didn’t score as many goals.
“It was a frustrating season, but it didn’t end with that kind of frustration.
“Changing my position expanded the range of my game and I was able to experience many different things. I think I grew one more step.
“Instead of focusing on the bad things, I think positively that I was able to grow and take another step forward.”
Asked if the player was not for sale at any price, Rodgers, speaking to the Daily Record, answered: “Yes. We’ve only got one striker.
LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE BHOY…Kyogo Furuhashi is smiles better after netting a penalty-kick in the 1-1 draw with Ayr United at Somerset Park.
“But I have to say, I’ve seen a different player really over the course of pre-season. He’s just been so good, just from day one.
“He’s come back really bright, looks really happy, working very, very hard, making the movements, making the runs, all the things that we’d hope to see from him.
“You see the happiness at which he’s playing, he’s scoring goals, he’s working very, very hard for the team and definitely something that we wouldn’t want to lose.”
Kyogo netted four goals in the pre-season games against Ayr United and Queen’s Park and he claimed a trademark dart into the box, instant control and sidefoot finish in the 4-3 win over Manchester City in North Carolina in midweek.
He will lead the line again against Chelsea this evening as the Hoops wind down their three-game US tour – they beat DC United 4-0 in Washington in the opener last weekend – before they return home for the competitive action.
Kyogo will remain a ley figure for Rodgers who, of course, is looking adding to his firepower to take the burden off his top man.
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