Celtic are in free-scoring form heading into their final four fixtures of the campaign under Brendan Rodgers.
In their last ten matches, the Bhoys have netted 31 times, subsequently averaging just over three goals per 90 minutes, which is a far cry from some of the creative deficiencies the Irishman’s group experienced earlier in the season.
Rodgers has managed to increase productivity from the wide areas; meanwhile, the return of Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley’s recent form has helped to provide an injection of intuition that hasn’t always been present in his second spell at Parkhead.
Last weekend, Kyogo Furuhashi netted a brace at home to Heart of Midlothian, with his excellent movement key in both goals, setting Celtic up for a comfortable day at the office.
Despite operating in a different system this campaign, the Japan international has now registered 18 strikes and five assists in 46 appearances across all competitions [Transfermarkt].
With four encounters left in 2023/24, there is every chance Furuhashi could breach the 20-goal mark for a third successive season at Parkhead.
Form is temporary, class is permanent, and Celtic will rely on their talisman to step up once more in the Glasgow Derby this weekend, a fixture he notoriously comes alive in.
Peter Grant on Kyogo Furuhashi’s form at Celtic this term
Without a doubt, there have been hints from some that Furuhashi has been out of form this campaign, with having to acclimatise to Rodgers’ way of working and being presented with limited opportunities as two factors regularly cited for this train of thought.
Per Fotmob, Furuhashi’s Expected Goal total in Scottish Premiership action stands at 17.08. Intriguingly, the 29-year-old has only scored 13 times on league duty, suggesting he could enjoy a flurry of goals before the season is out, though we will need to wait and see what transpires.
Paying tribute to his impressive performance against Hearts last weekend, former Celtic midfielder Peter Grant indicated a lack of adequate service might be the underlying reason behind his slightly below-average tally.
He stated, initially referring to his opening effort [Go Radio Football Show]: “Kyogo does brilliant; he’s always between the sticks; he knows there’s an opportunity if this ball comes back into this area. There was a bit of controversy because maybe they thought he was going to be offside, but you see his movement, getting himself back onside.
“Zander Clark comes out, but he’s got the nod past him. It was a fantastic finish, and it was a cute play by Hatate. It was a great start, but as I say, the wee fella is always in positions if you service him.”
Grant later added on his second strike: “The ball from O’Riley is a fantastic ball, its fantastic movement, but yet again, because he’s watching it come over his shoulder, he knows if he gets any sort of connection and guides it (he’ll score). It was an excellent finish, but he knows he’s between the sticks.
“As I say, I don’t think he’s ever been out of form; I just think the service wasn’t there. Playing with big strikers, they need service, no matter how good they are, they need service, and I think his movement has always been good.”
Kyogo Furuhashi will always thrive when given service
Furuhashi is the archetypal last-line striker, timing his runs perfectly to gain an inch before ruthlessly punishing the opposition.
Regardless of his involvement in general play, the former Vissel Kobe man will always endeavour to break in behind in a split-second, though Celtic haven’t always found the killer pass to set him free.
Nevertheless, when given the service, Furuhashi tends to deliver in crunch moments. With Rangers next up on Saturday, there is every chance he could be the match-winner at Parkhead.