The uncomfortable Kyogo truth that Celtic fans must accept as 'best since Larsson' throws up transfer dilemma
Celtic have been blessed with lethal strikers down the years who have laid their claim to being the best since Henrik Larsson.
Moussa Dembele and Odsonne Edouard both terrorised Rangers during their trophy-laden spells in Glasgow, firing Celtic to unprecedented Treble joy. Leigh Griffiths plundered more than a century of goals for the Hoops, while Gary Hooper always had a killer instinct.
Yet ask most fans and they'll argue that Kyogo Furuhashi comes closest to the King of Kings. Brought to these shores by Ange Postecoglou, the £4.5million bargain from Vissel Kobe has well and truly lit up Scottish football over the last four seasons. The Japanese sensation has been absolutely unstoppable at times, single-handedly winning two League Cup Finals and inching just 15 short of joining Celtic's goalscoring centurions.
He was undoubtedly at the peak of his powers thriving in Postecoglou's all-out-attack system and hoovered up every Player of the Year gong on the back of a dazzling 34-goal campaign in 2022/23. The fans' favourite has still been a key figure during Brendan Rodgers' reign, but has never really replicated that explosive form shown during the Aussie's tenure.
Ten goals from 22 Premiership appearances is a reasonable return so far this term and leaves him joint-top of the league's scoring charts with Dundee United's Sam Dalby. But every footballer has a sell-by date and the coming weeks and months could see Celtic's test resolved.
It's no secret that big-spending MLS outfit Atlanta United are long-term admirers, while Rennes are also weighing up an offer. That's led to murmurs the Japan star could be tempted by a fresh challenge in the MLS or Ligue 1. Rodgers has already made it clear he won't stand in any player’s way if they want to leave - including Kyogo.
But Celts won't entertain any bids before the crucial Champions League clashes with Young Boys and Aston Villa as they target a place in the knockouts. However, should an offer upwards of £10m land in the final days of the window, both Celtic and Kyogo could have a decision to make.
Parkhead powerbrokers have become specialists at cashing in on their top assets when the time is right. Kieran Tierney is the prime example of that. Six years after being flogged for £25m, the left-back is on the verge of sealing a sensational return to his boyhood club on a free transfer at the age of 27. Celts have also made fortunes from the sales of Jota and Matt O'Riley in recent times, and it's not inconceivable to think that Kyogo could be the next high-profile exit.
The talisman - who switched agents in August - turns 30 on Sunday and with two years left on his contract, the Scottish champions will be able to hold out for optimum value for their star man. The thought of Kyogo calling it quits mid-season or even in the summer may be difficult to stomach, but there's no room for sentiment in football and the green-and-white faithful must brace themselves for the uncomfortable possibility of their Magnificent No. 8 moving on to pastures new.
