BEST FROM THE EAST
Greg: I welcome anyone from Japan after Kyogo’s star form
GREG TAYLOR insists the impact of Kyogo Furuhashi at Celtic has cleared a path for more of his countrymen to arrive next month.
The Hoops defender has been blown away by the performances of the Japan international since being recruited from Vissel Kobe in the summer and is pleased J-League stars Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Yosuke Ideguchi could soon follow suit.
Ange Postecoglou’s ability to tap into that market could see further changes to the Parkhead side after the transfer window.
But Taylor is adamant it’s a policy that gets his thumbs up as Kyogo is a shining advert for Far East talent with 14 goals to his credit already.
He said: “I can totally understand why the gaffer will look at the Japanese market.
“He managed over there and he will have a strong knowledge of that league, and many others. You just need to look at how well Kyogo has done to see the talent that is there.
“He has been a breath of fresh air for us since coming to the club. He’s an infectious character with the way he plays, his work rate and his goals.
“Kyogo also does it all with a smile on his face. His level of performance has been top class and you look at his goal return.
“I can totally see why the manager would look to bring more players in from Japan. It makes total sense to me.”
Taylor believes Kyogo’s signing has been a match made in heaven both as a player on the pitch and a teammate around Lennoxtown.
He said: “Kyogo has a great work ethic and is a brilliant character around the place.
“But the gaffer has touched on this before – that he wants to sign good people, not just good players.
“We have done that this season. The gaffer has brought in a lot of new signings but they are great guys as well as being talented.
“Kyogo belongs in that bracket. He has done well for us and we love having him.”
Left-back Taylor returned from a spell on the sidelines after shoulder surgery to play his part in his side’s 3-0 defeat of Dundee United on Sunday and is set to get more game time against Real Betis on Thursday.
But the 24-year-old admits it’s been a long time waiting to get the green light to return after going under the knife for a complex operation.
He said: “It’s really good to be back playing. It was a long period out for myself.
“Thankfully, touch wood, that’s it over and I can focus on the games up until the winter break.
“My shoulder dislocated and I got a procedure where you get a bone graft to stabilise it.
“It was just about making sure the bone had healed and giving it time to heal but thankfully there were no complications from the operation. “I am very grateful to the surgeon but also everyone who has helped me on the way back – the staff, the sports science staff and coaching team.”
Getting the nod at Tannadice brought an end to months of frustration where Taylor has been forced to train without any physical contact.
He said: “With my injury, it was a bit different as it was the shoulder.
“I have been training physically for the best part of five weeks, doing running.
“It was a case of waiting for the go-ahead from the surgeon to resume contact stuff.
“That happened pretty recently and from that moment, I was available to play.
“So I wasn’t too surprised when the manager put me back in and I was happy to get the chance from him.
“It was a frustrating time for me as I was able to run but I just couldn’t take part in full training.
“At one stage I was doing the same thing every day but we had aims here and there. I was looking to build more strength in my legs and things like that.
“Before that I had never had a long-term injury but I was able to get through it and there was light at the end of the tunnel when I played against Dundee United.”
A run of only one defeat in the last 13 games has set Celtic up for a month where fixtures are congested and there’s also a League Cup Final on the horizon on December 19.
That hasn’t been lost on Taylor who is now in the running for an unlikely start against Hibs later this month at Hampden.
He said: “I’ll be honest, the prospect of a cup final was in my mind during the whole rehab period, and when we beat St Johnstone to get there, I was desperate to accelerate things.
“I would love to be involved as I have never played in the League Cup Final.
“I missed the final against Rangers in 2019 because I was cup-tied with Kilmarnock.
“I did manage to play in the Scottish Cup Final last year but it would be nice to play against Hibs.
“December is a big month for us, we all know that.
“We have so many games in different competitions.
“There are a lot of big league games and we also have the cup final in there too.
“It’s hectic but there will be a lot of chances for everyone in the squad to play in such an important period.
“The form of the boys over the last few months has been unbelievable.
“To win so many games in a row was incredible and we are going into this period in a really good place.
“Hopefully everyone stays fit and we can do the business.”
I can understand why the gaffer is in the Japanese market. Kyogo has been incredible GREG TAYLOR SEES DIRECTION GAFFER ANGE IS GOING