ANGE POSTECOGLOU was delighted with the quality of Celtic’s four goals against St Mirren – and singled out Kyogo Furuhashi for a special mention.
The lightning-swift Japanese striker terrorised the Paisley rearguard with his all-round play and claimed a sensational double to hoist his tally to 18 for the season.
Remarkably, that is only two behind his tally in his debut campaign which was interrupted by injury.
BHOY OH BHOY…Kyogo Furuhashi accepts the acclaim of the delighted Celtic fans after another superb goalsnatching display.
Kyogo provided the wow factor in a Hoops performance that simply obliterated the challenge of the only Scottish team to have beaten the champions this term.
However, the match in Paisley in September and the 4-0 encounter in Paradise last night were two different ball games.
Liel Abada volleyed in the opener before Kyogo doubled the advantage with a sublime lobbed effort after being picked out with a laserbeam pass from Reo Hatate.
It was the top scorer who provided No.3 after the interval when he completed a move down the left which was started by Josip Juranovic, carried on by Hatate and then Filipe Jota delivered an inviting low cross that was superbly met by Kyogo at speed and tucked behind the bewildered Trevor Carson before he could move.
David Turnbull provided the perfect finish to bring down the curtain on a devastating display with a blistering low 30-yard drive that whipped low past the overworked keeper as the match edged towards a satisfying conclusion.
HIGH AND MIGHTY…Kyogo Furuhashi lobs his first goal over the stranded Trevor Carson.
LOW AND DEADLY…Kyogo Furuhashi leaves keeper Trevor Carson helpless as he nets his second in the 4-0 rout.
Postecoglou beamed: “Kyogo’s obviously been on fire for quite a while.
“It’s just his movement, the quality of his finishing is always there. I was really pleased with the quality of our goals.
“Two were trademark Kyogo goals, a set-piece and Dave’s great strike, so they were all good goals.”
The Hoops gaffer, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “It’s stuff we work on consistently and I don’t think it’s a secret to anyone, but it’s pretty hard to stop when we’re moving the ball that quickly.
“Our movements are sharp and I thought some of our football was great, again in not easy conditions.
“Saturday’s game took a fair bit out of the boys, but the energy the new guys brought in and the intensity of the rest was good.
“Credit to the lads, I thought it was a really strong, disciplined performance.”
The champions maintained their nine-point advantage at the Premiership pinnacle with a superior goal difference of 23 over their nearest challengers.
They take a breather from points-gathering on Saturday as they turn their attention to the Scottish Cup where Championshionship side Morton are the visitors for the 12.15pm kick-off.
KYOGO AT THE DOUBLE IN HOOPS ROMP
