Kyogo Furuhashi’s 2025 has been a year of upheaval, frustration, and a swift drop from the standards he set in Glasgow. The former Celtic talisman, adored for his movement, finishing, and knack for big moments, is battling through the toughest stretch of his career.

His January push to leave Celtic for Rennes shocked supporters. The French club chased him hard, and the deal was linked to Jota returning to Celtic. On paper it looked like a fresh challenge. In reality it was a misstep. He barely featured, never found rhythm or confidence, and Rennes moved on. So did Kyogo, with a summer switch to Birmingham City.

There was real excitement in the Midlands. Birmingham were investing heavily in a promotion push under former Celtic assistant Chris Davies. Tomoki Iwata had already arrived, and fans bought into the idea that Kyogo would bring goals, energy, and a bit of stardust. The welcome was warm and social feeds filled with highlight reels from his Celtic peak.

By December the picture is very different.

Soccer Football – Scottish Premiership – Celtic v Rangers – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – September 1, 2024 Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Kyogo hasn’t scored a Championship goal. One goal in nineteen appearances, a League Cup strike, has left supporters asking what’s gone wrong. Birmingham sit eighth. The club is still in the mix, but patience with Kyogo has started to crack.

Saturday’s miss against Southampton turned the mood. With the goal gaping after a fortunate rebound, he lifted the chance over the bar. Birmingham were 3-1 down and a goal would have dragged them back into the contest. Instead the chance went begging, groans rolled around the Birmingham support, and the spotlight fell on the Japanese forward. They lost 3-1.

Until recently, the mood around Kyogo was calm. Many Birmingham fans insisted he was helping with movement, pressing, and link play. That tone shifted over the weekend. Doubts are growing about whether he can handle the Championship’s relentlessness and rediscover the conviction he once showed at Celtic.

The truth is his form dipped before he left Glasgow. By the end of his spell he wasn’t the explosive, ruthless finisher who lit up Ange Postecoglou’s system. Even at his best he could miss a sitter, but he usually balanced it with brilliant finishes and match winners.

Right now those moments feel a long way off.

Celtic supporters will still have huge affection for Kyogo. His personality, his knack for big goals, and the joy he brought to the stands won’t be forgotten. You hope he finds a spark again, because he looks a shadow of the player who once terrorised Premiership defences.

The pressure is growing in Birmingham. Kyogo needs a goal to reset everything. One strike to ease the doubts and remind himself of who he is. The hope from this corner is simple. The wee man finds the net soon and gets back to enjoying football again.

Kyogo’s Birmingham Miss

2 COMMENTS

  1. Couldn’t care less.

    Public badge-kisser while privately agitating desperately for a move.

    Was well in decline before he left us, yet that was supposedly Brendan’s fault.

    Subsequent evidence proves otherwise

  2. I won’t be as harsh as Terry but I also don’t care. Thank you for your service and all the best in your future endeavours etc. but when you’re gone from my club you’re gone from my concern. Kyogo not scoring for Birmingham, them doing badly or well, all an irrelevance to Celtic. Who cares about Brummie bawbags?

    Not me.

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