Since joining Celtic from J. League side Vissel Kobe back in the summer of 2021, Kyogo Furuhashi has been a huge hit in Glasgow. With 58 goals and 12 assists in 89 appearances for the Bhoys, the 28-year-old seems to hit new heights and prove his class each time he steps on the pitch in green and white.
Kyogo’s electric Celtic form has led many to make comparisons between the Japan international and the legendary Henrik Larsson. Many argue Kyogo is the best striker the club has had since the Swede, who scored 242 goals across a seven-year spell in Scotland.
Current manager Brendan Rodgers recently spoke about these comparisons. He said (Glasgow Times): “Listen, he’s obviously a top striker. What made Henrik unique was his longevity at Celtic. In my time we had Moussa (Dembele), who was fantastic and Griff (Leigh Griffiths) was terrific. Henrik was over a sustained period, and that made him really stand out.”
Larsson stayed with Celtic for seven years. Kyogo is only in his third year at the club, but if he stays and sees out his current contract to its end, he will have spent six years at Parkhead.
Although ability and goalscoring prowess matter drastically, Rodgers believes a player is remembered for how long they stay with a club. He said: “The comparisons, I think, come with the movement and the levels of finishing. Kyogo is his own player.
“Henrik was a special player for Celtic and so is Kyogo. It will be longevity that will decide where he compares. It’s also about creating those moments like Henrik did.”
It would not be too out there to say that Kyogo is Celtic’s best centre-forward since Larsson. To reach the level of the Champions League winner, though, the Japanese hitman has a long way to go.
