Kyogo Furuhashi’s new chapter in England got off to a lively – and slightly frustrating – start on Friday night as Birmingham City kicked off their Championship campaign against Ipswich Town.

Few Celtic supporters would have believed, just 12 months ago, that their talismanic forward would not only have left the club but done so via an ill-fated spell in France. Yet the Japanese striker departed Parkhead for Rennes in January, only to find himself frozen out of action entirely.

His career reboot has come courtesy of a familiar face – former Celtic assistant Chris Davies, now in charge at Birmingham and tasked with mounting a Premier League promotion bid. Kyogo was thrust straight into the starting XI, and within seven minutes, he looked to have announced himself in style.

Soccer Football – Championship – Birmingham City v Ipswich Town – St Andrews @ Knighthead Park, Birmingham, Britain – August 8, 2025 Birmingham City’s Jay Stansfield celebrates scoring their first goal with Kyogo Furuhashi Action Images/Craig Brough

Brushing aside his marker, he lofted an audacious chip over the advancing keeper – a finish instantly reminiscent of his League Cup final strike against Hibernian under Ange Postecoglou. The home fans roared, but celebrations were cut short when the referee blew for a foul on the defender. Replays showed minimal contact, leaving Birmingham and Kyogo with every right to feel hard done by.

Undeterred, the former Celtic No.8 continued to torment the Ipswich backline. His persistence paid off when he rattled the post later in the game, with a teammate pouncing on the rebound to score. While not officially credited with the goal, Kyogo’s fingerprints were all over it.

The hunger and sharpness were unmistakable – a welcome sight for Davies and a painful reminder for Celtic supporters. Seven months have passed since Kyogo’s departure, and the Parkhead hierarchy are still to find a like-for-like replacement for the man who so often delivered on the big stage.

Watch the disallowed goal below.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Birmingham deserved 3 points today. Ipswich are a team of thugs, designed to stop football being played and I thought the referee had a very poor game letting them away with blatant fouls and lacking consistency.
    I will certainly watch and follow Birmingham’s progress this year and I enjoyed seeing them play tonight. They may have drawn tonight, but impressed me. Nothing about Ipswich impressed me at all.

  2. I will NEVER understand why he did what he did…Most footballers won’t ever remotely achieve the adulation he received at Celtic Park …Maybe someday it will be explained.

  4. Bloody hell Dan – have a heart! I still love this wee guy. Many happy memories he gave us. He deserved a big send off, the way he went was not befitting of such a legend. I will always wish him the best

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