Brendan Rodgers has never really fancied Kyogo Furuhashi.
That’s according to Kris Boyd, who reckons the Celtic striker, signed by Ange Postecoglou three years ago, isn’t as trusted by current boss Rodgers.
Boyd thinks the rumoured transfer switch to Manchester City makes sense for both parties, particularly with Kyogo being 29, plus Celtic paying a substantial fee for Adam Idah this summer - who won’t be content with sitting on the bench and playing second fiddle to the Japanese forward.
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Writing in his weekly Sun column, the former Rangers striker said: “Could Kyogo do a job as his (Erling Haaland) deputy? Of course he could.
“And at 29, this may his final chance in his career to earn the real big bucks.
“But what intrigues me most about the proposed deal is Celtic’s take on it all?
“I may be wrong but I’m not sure Brendan Rodgers has ever been really taken by him.
“That might sound odd, but there were times last season when he was left on the bench.
“Adam Idah came in on loan and started a few games.
“Now Rodgers has spent £9.5million to get Idah on a permanent deal and there’s bound to be pressure to play him.
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“Rodgers rarely starts two strikers and he was full of praise for Maeda after his two-goal display in the Premier Sports Cup win over Hibs last Sunday.
“If Kyogo departed — and I still think that’s a big ‘if’ — I’m sure Rodgers could make do with Idah and Maeda as his main options through the middle.
“For me, Maeda isn’t a typical wide player in a Rodgers team. He likes his wide attackers to get touches on the ball and play.
“Maeda is lightning-quick, can finish and has loads of qualities. But I still think Nicolas Kuhn, James Forrest and even Luis Palma are wide players more suited to Rodgers’ way of playing.
“Kuhn has been a revelation this season. He’s scored three goals in three games. Forrest’s return to form at the end of last season and start of this term has also been a huge boost.
“Palma can’t get in the team right now, and he’s another that Rodgers paid decent money for.
“Put simply, Idah, Kuhn and Palma are all Rodgers signings — and Kyogo isn’t.
“Throw in the ongoing questions over his shoulder injury and you can see a Celtic future without their talismanic No8.
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“That’s before we find out whether Kyogo’s new agents have smoked out any other clubs who might fancy making a bid in this transfer window.
“That said, I DO think he’ll still be a Celtic player by the time Rangers arrive at Parkhead next Sunday lunchtime.
“But Kyogo to City makes sense — and him moving there or elsewhere might even be one less headache for Rodgers.”
