Ange Postecoglou has labelled Kyogo Furuhashi his Celtic 'banker' after revealing he had no doubt he would succeed in Glasgow.
The Hoops gaffer has now been in charge for over 100 games with the work he has done at Parkhead lauded by pundits, fans and ex-pros. In his debut campaign he recaptured the Premiership crown from Rangers and lifted the League Cup in a domestic double. He has once again bagged the first trophy of the campaign while holds a healthy nine point lead at the Premiership summit and has a Scottish Cup semi-final against Michael Beale to come.
He also tasted Champions League football for the first time but it is also his work in the transfer market that has been heavily praised. Josip Juranovic arrived and left while the likes of Joe Hart, Matt O'Riley, Jota, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Aaron Mooy, Liel Abada and Reo Hatate have all landed big pass marks. They've all been in sensational form for the 57-year-old but one player stands out in particular who has been part of the ride from the very start.
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He told Celtic TV: "It was huge. In those early days whilst I was trying really hard to put the framework together on how I wanted us to play our football, there was very little evidence of it for supporters
"Results weren't a reflection on the team we wanted to be and our performances similarly had some encouragement. I knew my first signings would be really important and for any supporter base, if you can excite them in the initial bit, that helps.
"Kyogo was my banker, I had no doubt he would be successful. His debut against Hearts he literally walked into the meal at lunchtime where he met the boys.
"Once he was up and running, I knew he would excite the fans and be a good footballer for us. That was hugely important as the support I got in that early part was on the back of not seeing real evidence of the team yet, but seeing the individuals within that, in the context of football we want to play."
Kyogo has been on fire this season and netted 26 goals in all competitions so far. 20 of those have come in the Scottish Premiership and he is well on course to smash the 30 barrier with at least 11 games left of the campaign in the league and cup.
He is just four goals shy of the half centaury mark since his arrival in summer 2021 from just 71 appearances in the green and white.
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