Kyogo told there's 'no bigger man' to seal Celtic deal vs Rangers at Hampden as Hoops legend waxes lyrical
Celtic and Rangers both have a huge chance to secure their first silverware of the season as they face off at Hampden Park on Sunday afternoon, in what is a huge billing in Glasgow - and Chris Sutton has told Kyogo Furuhashi to lace up his Old Firm shooting boots once again as he had so often in the past.
Kyogo's record against Rangers is quite something. Eight goals in 15 outings against the Ibrox outfit, including a brace in the Premier Sports Cup final two years ago, have seen Gers fans haunted by the clinical poacher, and he's shown no signs of stopping in recent games.
Having not been at his best in midweek in the Champions League against Dinamo Zagreb, Kyogo will be looking to relish the chance of another big clash to get back to form - and with the huge game coming up against Celtic's bitter rivals, Sutton has backed the star to punish Philippe Clement's side again to bring home the trophy.
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Writing in his Daily Record column, Sutton said: "Kyogo Furuhashi was fabulous and then frustrated. But, when it comes to facing Rangers, the Celtic striker is normally fantastic.
"And there’s no reason to think the lethal Japanese striker won’t extend his marvellous Old Firm record when he gets back to Hampden. Big players deliver in big games. When it comes to Scotland, there is no bigger fixture and there has been no bigger man in the contests recently than the striker. Kyogo’s recent run against Rangers has been terrific and, if Celtic are going to win the Premier Sports Cup on Sunday, there’s every reason to think he’ll be central to the success.
"Here’s one for you. If they don’t win the trophy, I don’t think it’s a disaster in the bigger picture. But we’ll get to that later. First up, Kyogo, who has been a contrasting watch over the past week. Last Saturday, I thought his goal against Hibs was absolutely sublime. The way he let James Forrest’s pass run through to collect with his back leg into his path was brilliant enough. But to then have the composure to feint and sit the keeper on his backside before lifting a finish over him was just gorgeous.
"There was a big smile on his face afterwards, yet contrast that with the figure which trooped off at the Maksimir Stadium on Tuesday night. Kyogo would have been desperate to get a first Champions League goal away from home for Celtic, but it just wasn’t his night. He seemed slightly off it when receiving the ball and there were times he didn’t get possession that also caught my eye. On two or three occasions, he looked to have made a trademark darting run in behind only for the pass not to come his way or for the intended delivery to go astray.
"It happened just before he went off in the second period against Dinamo and there’s nothing worse for a striker when you think you are in, you escape markers and then a team-mate either doesn’t spot you or doesn’t find you. It felt like that on occasions for Kyogo in Croatia, but I can only imagine that has made him even more determined to deliver at Hampden.
"Kyogo has made it his business to damage Rangers time and again over the past couple of years and he also has that happy knack of being able to do it at the National Stadium in the major finals and semi-finals. Fair enough, it needed Adam Idah to come off the bench and win the Scottish Cup Final for Brendan Rodgers’ team in May.
"But Kyogo was right back into the Old Firm groove when the teams met again for the first time this season with his excellent finish as Celtic cantered to a 3-0 success. It was one of the performances of this season which has really caught the eye. At times, Rodgers’ team have played some scintillating stuff."
