Life has been difficult for Kyogo Furuhashi following his Celtic exit in January.
Many were left surprised when Kyogo left Celtic and joined Rennes, with many wondering what would happen to Brendan Rodgers’ side, especially given that he wasn’t replaced.
Perhaps to the surprise of some, Celtic exploded in the goalscoring department because Daizen Maeda went to the next level and he is now on course to win the Player of the Year.
But, on Sunday, the champions-elect hit a brick wall when Celtic were beaten by Rangers and it delayed the inevitable, in terms of becoming champions again.
A lot has been said about Celtic’s performance in the derby and why, for the second game running against the Gers, the team have performed in such an abject fashion.
But after the latest showing, the Open Goal panel brought the name of Kyogo to the table.
Celtic told they missed Kyogo Furuhashi following defeat to Rangers
It needs to be remembered that Kyogo started that horror performance at Ibrox after the turn of the year and even the League Cup final at Hampden in December.
But the Open Goal panel, Maurice Ross, Paul Slane and Si Ferry feel that Celtic ‘missed’ Kyogo, including his movement and pressing, alongside Maeda, over the weekend.
Celtic-mad Slane spoke about how, when Kyogo was still in Glasgow, the team didn’t use the Japan star’s movement enough.
Maurice Ross asks: “Do you think Celtic missed Kyogo”. Slane responded: “100%. Everything about him.”
Si Ferry then asks: “In terms of what though, when you are saying they are missing, Kyogo? What does he give you that Maeda doesn’t?”
Slane added: “Kyogo played the last game (at Ibrox), didn’t he?! He played in the cup final as well. I just love the both of them playing. I just thought it was so hard to stop them. Kyogo’s movement, I thought was second to none.
“I actually felt that Celtic didn’t use him enough, with his movement in behind, the last couple of Rangers games I don’t think they used it anywhere near enough.”
Ferry then stated: “I would say more off the ball they miss Kyogo, in terms of the press. I don’t think Jota and Kuhn press as well as Maeda does. When you had the two of them up there, the press was so much better, wasn’t it?! More aggressive.”
Ross added: “That spooks you as a centre-half or a fullback, when they are running at you at full speed, because it’s just half a second and bang, they are on you. I think they do. I think they miss him.”
Kyogo’s stats for Celtic against Rangers
One of the reasons why Kyogo was so popular at Celtic was his ability to perform on the big stage and in the derby itself.
It was a shame that he left when he did because, on 85 goals, there was every chance that he would have hit 100, had he stayed on board.
But Kyogo left some lasting memories, scoring against Rangers at Celtic Park, Hampden and Ibrox.
