Confident Kyogo Furuhashi is convinced Celtic can pull off one of the biggest results in the club’s history by stunning Real Madrid.
The Hoops were handed a dream Champions League draw after landing in Group F with the Spanish super power, along with Bundesliga big guns RB Leipzig and Ukraine champs Shakhtar Donetsk. Kyogo insisted Celts have nothing to fear and the Japanese hero is determined to make a big impression on the greatest stage in global football.
The frontman is adamant the Hoops will go out all guns blazing – and he has faith Ange Postecoglou’s men can even take down the reigning champions. Kyogo said: “I was looking forward to playing against Real Madrid. I think we can beat them. We have to express on the pitch what we have been working on. Through the way we play we can beat any team so we just have to try and do it.
“There are a lot of equal opportunities for all teams in the Champions League. We just believe in our football, our play and we have good supporters, good staff and good team-mates. They are all supporting us so we will work hard to get a good result.”
Kyogo admitted he was shocked when Celtic came first out of the bowl in pot four and landed straight in the group containing Real. His phone lit up immediately and he can’t wait to have a crack at the continent’s elite.
Kyogo said: “I didn’t expect that we be the first team from the pot. In Japan it was midnight but I got lots of messages and texts in the morning.
“All teams are very good and whatever group we got would have been okay for me but to compete against Real Madrid, Leipzig and Shakhtar is a really nice group for me – I would like to play as soon as possible! This will be a good opportunity for the team and for me as well to grow up.”
Kyogo and co swept aside the Scottish game last season on the way to a league and League Cup double. But the striker is determined to make the step up and prove the Parkhead men can cut it alongside Europe’s top teams.
He said: “Last year we were champions and so I would like to see our performances now individually and collectively in the Champions League. We would like to show and express our best. We have time to grow up now. We will work hard to improve and become a better team and evolve until these games.”
Boss Ange Postecoglou admitted he was thrilled with the Champions League draw and the prospect of taking on his old gaffer Ferenc Puskas’ old club Real Madrid. He said: “First of all, I’m excited that we were in it, that’s what the general anticipation was about, that we were actually in the draw and you know you’re going to potentially be a special group and I’m really pleased – it’s a tough but exciting group.
“We’ve got three games before that starts and I think the key for me is that we go into the Champions League in good form, feeling good about ourselves and playing well. That’ll only happen if we focus on the task at hand. I’m sure there will be chatter among the boys about the draw yesterday.
“They will be excited, but my expectation is they come out and train as they always do and prepare ourselves for a tough game at the weekend."
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