DAVID TURNBULL has revealed he “loves playing alongside” Kyogo Furuhashi.
However, the Celtic midfielder also admitted the Japanese striker may just be too quick for his team-mates to read his intentions.
Kyogo, who arrived in a £4.6million deal from J-League side Vissel Kobe a year ago, netted 20 goals in an injury-interrupted season where he was forced to sit out TWENTY-TWO games with knee and hamstring problems.
However, he completed his debut campaign in typically explosive form with a double salvo in the 6-0 win over Motherwell as the curtain came down on a memorable title-winning term on May 14 at a rocking Parkhead.
PICK IT OUT…David Turnbull converts Kyogo Furuhashi’s pass for Celtic’s second goal against Rapid Vienna.
PICK IT OUT…Kyogo Furuhashi latches onto a ball from Davie Turnbull to flash the third into the net.
Kyogo also helped Ange Postecoglou to his first piece of silverware as Celtic manager when he claimed a second-half duo in the 2-1 success over Hibs in the Premier Sports League Cup Final at Hampden six days before Christmas.
Turnbull was removed early in that encounter against the Easter Road outfit and he, too, had to sit out a chunk of the campaign after the turn of the year before making his return just ahead of the Japanese international hitman.
The double-act highlighted their understanding of each other’s play in the 3-3 draw with Rapid Vienna in Austria at the weekend when Kyogo set up the Scot for his goal – the Hoops’ second after Matt O’Riley’s opener – and the midfielder returned the compliment with a pass for his prolific colleague to tuck away the third.
Turnbull said: “I played with him all of last season and I love playing alongside him. We had a good partnership then and against Rapid we linked up for two of the goals. He’s a joy to play with. It’s great to know that he will make the runs in behind and he can find me, as well.
PRIZE GUY…Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates after his two goals won the Premier Sports League Cup in December.
“Just his movement and his runs in behind are brilliant. Sometimes he’s even one step ahead, I feel, and you can’t get the ball through to him. If you play it early, though, he’s always onside and ready to be there.”
The Hoops enjoyed a good spread of goals across the team last season with Giorgos Giakoumakis, Liel Abada and Filipe Jota all enjoying a first season at Parkhead.
Turnbull acknowledged the importance of everyone chipping in and, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “Yeah, I just try to contribute to the team, and if that’s scoring or creating goals or whatever, it’s just about doing my best for the team and if they come along then I’m happy with that.
“If you look back, I think a few of my goals have been like that. I try to score all types of goals and whatever way they come I’m happy with them.”
CONCERN FOR A TEAM-MATE…Kyogo Furuhashi offers a consolation pat on the head to David Turnbull as the midfielder prepares to be withdrawn in the first-half of the 2-1 victory over Hibs at Hampden.
Turnbull and his team-mates are now preparing for tomorrow evening’s friendly in the Czech Republic against Banik Ostrava after being denied a win in Vienna with the very last touch of the the ball when the home side scored following a corner-kick.
The Scotland international playmaker added: “You’ll always be disappointed losing a goal with the very last touch of the game, so that was a kick in the teeth, but we’re obviously satisfied to get 45 minutes in our legs, up against a good team.
“They moved the ball well and it was a good test for us.
“We’re feeling good. It’s been a good pre-season camp over here. The facilities are great and we’ve been working hard every day. We obviously had the first game the other night and then Rapid, and both have gone well, so we’re looking forward to the games coming up.
“Everybody is fighting for that place in the team, so you need to do your best every game and that’s what I’m going to try to do. I want to improve and I feel I’m improving every week and in every game. I feel I’m bringing a lot to the team.
“Hopefully, I can bring more goals and more assists and defensively work as hard as I can.”
