A striker who has plundered five goals in his last three Old Firm derbies and doubles in two cup finals is clearly a man for the big occasion. But Greg Taylor reckons the key to Kyogo Furuhashi ’s success is the Celtic hitman has a big-game mentality in EVERY fixture.
The full-back admits he’s run out of words to praise the poacher as he closes in on a couple of major milestones. Kyogo is just one goal away from the half century for Celtic and, with it, 30 for this season. And few would bet against the 28-year-old hitting the mark against Rangers at Hampden on Sunday.
The Japanese favourite fired a double against the Light Blues in the crucial league clash at Celtic Park earlier this month, having tucked away two to secure the Viaplay Cup at the expense of their fierce foes six weeks earlier. Kyogo also grabbed the crucial leveller in the 2-2 Premiership draw at Ibrox at New Year, which helped the Hoops take a huge step towards the title by preserving a then nine-point cushion.
Taylor reckons the hitman is fast on his way to hero status in green and white because he knows what it takes to play for the jersey. The defender said: “He does have that big-game mentality but it’s more of an every game mentality.
“The team does in general – the badge dictates it. The supporters demand exciting football and a winning mentality every week and not just in the big games.
“Everyone who has come into the building has bought into that mentality. Everyone understands that is what is required at this club and Kyogo is no different.
"His record is unbelievable – and that’s with him not being the penalty taker, as we saw against Kilmarnock the other week! He’s been unbelievable. What a player and what a man.
“He’s just so happy and so keen to do well, we are so grateful to have him here. Honestly he’s just a pleasure to play alongside and to have in the team as his enthusiasm to do well for the team is incredible. There aren’t enough superlatives for him.”
Kyogo will lead the line in Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final but it remains to be seen who will join him in Ange Postecoglou’s attack. Supply men Jota and Liel Abada are battling back from injuries while Reo Hatate is also in a race against time.
Wideman Daizen Maeda looks a banker on the left side, just in front of Taylor. The Japan international is an unpredictable nightmare for rivals but the full-back knows exactly what he’ll get from the running machine. Taylor has been in superb form this season, which has seen him thrown into the mix as a potential Player of the Year candidate.
But the 25-year-old admits he gets a helping hand from the man ahead of him on the pitch. Maeda torments markers with his pace and creates space for others to attack the inside.
But it’s his incredible work rate and desire to help out at the other end that make him the perfect team-mate in Taylor’s book. He added: “I love playing behind him. He’s brilliant.
“We have a great relationship together – attacking and defending. I can’t say enough about him. He’s such a talent and another one who gives himself to the team, whether it’s going forward or at the back.
“You saw how well he did at the World Cup, so it’s no surprise. He has been in great form since then and hopefully that will continue until the end of the season.
“He’s exactly the same in training as he is in games. He trains every day like it’s his last. It’s a different animal in the games and we all know that is where we’re judged. You don’t play if you don’t train well but you know you will get the best of him in games.”
Taylor is happy to rave about his Parkhead pals but he’s been receiving plenty of plaudits himself. The Scotland man has been
one of Postecoglou’s most trusted stars this season.
He may have got the runaround a tad going up against Motherwell’s Kevin van Veen last weekend but not much has got past Taylor this term. He’s been a vital part of the Celtic attack in his inverted role and there are weeks when he’s seen more of the ball than anyone on the pitch.
It hasn’t gone unnoticed, with several observers lobbing his name into the mix for end-of-season awards, along with team-mates including Kyogo, Hatate, Callum McGregor and Cameron Carter-Vickers. Taylor will take the pat on the back but he believes the Hoops’ team ethic is why there are so many candidates to split the vote.
He said: “I didn’t know I was a candidate! It’s a massive compliment to be spoken about and it’s nice when the plaudits come along. But I know how quickly things can change if you don’t cut the mustard. I just keep trying to improve and focus on finishing the season strongly.
“The awards tend to go to the goalscorers anyway! There are several candidates from this team. It says a lot and that’s a credit to the players. Everyone has played their role in the team and everyone plays their part.
“We know we wouldn’t be as successful if everyone didn’t give themselves over to the team. Look at Kyogo, you see him running all the way back to his own goal to defend and these things don’t go unnoticed. It’s unbelievable. But that is what it’s like throughout the squad. Everyone wants to help one another.”
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