It’s a Reo honour to be in this Celts side
Kyogo’s warm tribute to countryman Hatate
A gracious bow of the head tells you everything about Kyogo Furuhashi.
The mere suggest ion that he’s a leading contender to be Scotland’s Player of the Year is met with the kind of humility he’s become renowned for since arriving at Celtic.
But of course he’ ll be on the shortlist. He has to be.
The Japanese striker has scored 22 goals in 34 games this season.
On current form he looks certain to smash through the 30- goal barrier before May. But with Kyogo it’s not just about goals.
The 28- year- old has been a revelation at Parkhead for more than just sticking the ball in the back of the net. It’s his unassuming attitude.
And his relentless work-rate which involves hounding tired opposition defenders into mistakes.
Along with countryman Reo Hatate, Kyogo has lit up Celtic Park from the minute Ange Postecoglou signed him.
And he’s the guy supporters will rely on to see off Old Firm rivals Rangers in the Viaplay League Cup Final at Hampden today.
It’s still early but Kyogo and Hatate are front- runners for the end- ofseason awards.
When that’s mentioned, he drops his head in appreciation.
But in typical Kyogo style, he says any number of Celtic players could be crowned as the country’s top performer this season.
Ahead of today’s Hampden showdown, the Hoops star said: “Thank you for saying I may be a contender for the award.
“I’m very humble. But Reo is a versatile, hard- working and talented player. I’m just honoured to be in the same team as him.
“And we have so many talented players which helps us prepare for every game we have.
“Who would I choose as Player of the Year right now?
“I could say Joe Hart, Cal lum McGregor, Cameron Carter-Vickers – there are so many, I couldn’t decide.
“I just focus on playing well, scoring goals and contributing to the team. I genuinely just enjoy football, I don’t think about other things.”
In last season’s League Cup Final, it was touch and go whether the former Vissel Kobe star would make it after being injured.
He was desperate to play and Postecoglou threw him in against Hibs, who led Celt ic 1- 0 at Hampden after 51 minutes.
That’s when Kyogo took matters into h i s own hands. He
didn’t just cancel out Paul Hanlon’s opener within a minute.
He then hit a sensational winning goal to seal Postcoglou’s first trophy as Celtic gaffer.
A week ago he looked to be an injury doubt again after hurting a shoulder – just like he did in September’s Old Firm clash at Parkhead.
But, like a year ago, he has passed himself fit for Hampden and admits he’s dreaming of repeating the feat against Rangers.
Kyogo, who bagged his first Old Firm goal at Ibrox in the New Year 2-2 draw, said: “I’m looking forward to the final, I’m excited about it.
“We have prepared well as a team and I’m ready myself. The shoulder is feeling good.
“I was so happy to achieve the trophy last year. It was one of the most memorable moments of my career so far. I was pleased to score two goals to help the team. Of course I would love a repeat against Rangers.
“When I injured my shoulder last year, I got a lot of support from my team-mates and the Celtic staff.
“I was able to return quickly because of them. Now I want to pay them back.
“Every game is important in Scotland but this is against a big opponent. I look forward to playing in a lot more of these derby games.
“I was happy to score an important goal against Rangers in January, my first against them.
“It was such an important game too so I’d like to score more now.”
Most deadly strikers need to have a ruthless streak, a killer instinct in front of goal. On the pitch, Kyogo certainly has it. But does he have another side to him?
Postecoglou claimed last week that his star man was upset at not starting their home win over Aberdeen. But with his trademark smile, Kyogo said: “I wasn’t angry! Maybe I was just a little frustrated.
“I was supporting the players on the pitch last week and ready to come on whenever I was needed.
“I’m not sure what kind of character I am. But I’m always smiling – so that’s probably the kind of person I am.”
Irrespective of the result at Hampden, Celtic look certain to retain their Premiership title come May.
If they achieve two-in-a-row under Postecoglou it will mean a direct return to the Champions League group stage. That’s where Kyogo wants to be showcasing his talent.
Celtic were humbled by Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk and RB Leipzig this term.
But Madrid and Leipzig’s results in midweek against Liverpool and Manchester City – especially the Spaniards’ 5-2 triumph at Anfield – proved the quality of opposition the Hoops were up against.
And Kyogo is convinced that they would be far better equipped to deal with the tournament.
He said: “In the Real Madrid game at home we made so many chances but just couldn’t score.
“We were disappointed by that but overall we played very well.
“Next season it would be a great opportunity to play in the competition again and test ourselves against some of the best teams in Europe.
“I think we will be a better team next season. There is no such thing as ‘complete’ but we aim very high every time we train or play a game.
“So we will be looking to improve next year and play better.”