Kyogo Furuhashi has broken his silence on the challenges he’s facing since his January move from Celtic to Rennes, as speculation continues to swirl about his future at the Ligue 1 club.
Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi arrives at the stadium before the match Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
The Japanese striker was a standout at Celtic, scoring consistently in the Premiership and Champions League. But since making the switch to France in a £10 million deal, his game time has dried up. He’s managed just 93 minutes of football for Rennes, with no goals or assists to his name. Despite that, Kyogo was named in Japan’s latest international squad, alongside current Hoops stars Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate.
So while the move hasn’t gone to plan on the pitch, from an international perspective, it’s yielded results—at least for now.
Kyogo, who’s reportedly not in favour under Rennes’ new manager, has addressed the tough transition. Speaking to Nikkan Sports, he said: “I’m running, hoping that one pass out of ten will be enough. It’s not good for a forward to stop moving there. I’m running and communicating.”
He admitted the circumstances are difficult but remains optimistic about making an impact. “Even in difficult times I believe I can make a splash somewhere. To that end, I want to prepare well and polish the areas I can on the pitch. That means I can perform well when I’m on the field, and I want to stay positive and do my best.”
It’s a stark contrast to his time in Glasgow, where Kyogo was one of the first names on the team sheet and adored by the Parkhead support. Now, at Rennes, he’s behind a 17-year-old in the pecking order and struggling to adapt to a system that seems less suited to his style of play.
With rumours already linking him to a potential exit in the summer, Kyogo’s resolve will be tested. For now, he’ll hope to make the most of any opportunity—whether at Rennes, on international duty, or potentially elsewhere.
