Kyogo Furuhashi has revealed he nearly QUIT football before getting his chance at FC Gifu.
The Japan international has been a revelation in his first season at Celtic after joining last summer as part of Ange Postecoglou's rebuild.
He helped the Hoops win back the Premiership title from Rangers and also lift the Premier Sports Cup in his debut campaign.
READ MORE: Rangers and Celtic learn Champions League draw dates, qualifying details and group stage schedule
Before making the move to Scotland, the attacker has told the piece of advice Barcelona and Spain legend Andres Iniesta told him.
Speaking to Tokyo Weekender, he said: “It’s a unique club with special fans. Getting those supporters off their feet when you hit the net; there’s no feeling like it.
"Before flying to Glasgow, Andres Iniesta told me about the atmosphere when he played against Celtic for Barcelona.
"He said it was intimidating and I can see why, as it can get very loud. My old clubs, FC Gifu and Vissel Kobe were great, but this is on another level.
"It’s hard to put into words what it means to be here.”
On nearly qutting the game completely, he added: "I was ready to give up.
"I’d been playing since I was five and did okay at student level. In my final year at university, I had trials at different teams but I couldn’t find a team.
"Fortunately, I had many supportive people around me, especially my parents who were brilliant. That helped me keep going and I eventually got my chance at Gifu.”
One man Kyogo Furuhashi has lots of respect for is boss Postecoglou.
He has hailed the Aussie gaffer as 'top-class' and says the fact he had watched him play gave him the confidence to know he would fit in at Parkhead.
He said: “It gave me confidence knowing [Postecoglou] had watched me play and felt I was the right fit for his team.
"He’s a top-class coach and all the players here are benefiting from his ideas.
"Of course, there are times when he’s strict, but he’s also very complimentary when you do well. I think he strikes a good balance in that sense.
"I’ve got real respect for him.”
