The transfer window always brings the inevitable rumours surrounding Celtic and their players.
With Matt O’Riley being touted as the next big-money exit at Parkhead, the Celtic fans will be worried if the Danish international decides to make his move this summer.
Although Paulo Bernardo is being lined up for a permanent summer move if Brendan Rodgers wants to make a decent fist of having a go at the Champions League next season, keeping O’Riley will be crucial to that.
And so will keeping the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi. The Japanese talisman has been absolutely crucial to Celtic’s most recent successes and will continue to do so as long as he is at the club.
And after rumours circulated about the Japan international possibly being a target for Urawa Reds over the past few weeks, Kyogo has spoken up about his immediate future after visiting one of his former clubs back in Japan this weekend.
Kyogo wants to stay abroad ‘for as long as possible’
The Celtic striker made an appearance at FC Gifu’s J League 3 match against Numazu yesterday and took part in a small Q&A during his appearance.
Recounting the double-winning season Kyogo said [Gifu-Np], “We lost the first cup (League Cup) in the first round, but in the end, we won two titles.
“It was a good send-off because it was the year Joe Hart retired and at the end, we all fought well together as one.”
When asked about his ambition to play for Japan at the next World Cup, Kyogo continued, “Not only me, but every footballer’s number one goal is to make the national team. I want to keep scoring goals wherever I am so that I don’t lose out to those players.
“After that, I think the national team and the World Cup are waiting for me. I want to take care of what’s in front of me.”
Kyogo was then asked about a possible return to FC Gifu in the future, the Celtic striker said, “To be honest, I don’t know exactly what my future holds.
“But I hope to do my best abroad for as long as possible, and if I can come back one day, I would like to come back to Japan and play in front of you all.”
Now I know Kyogo has said that he doesn’t know what his future holds, but for me, that is talk of a player who doesn’t take anything for granted and will work hard to keep his place at the club.
So whilst the 29-year-old does have an ambition to go back to Japan and play at some point, it does look like the Celtic fans have nothing to worry about the popular striker returning to his homeland any time soon.