Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers says striker Kyogo Furuhashi is going nowhere.
The Japanese striker has been linked with a move away from the club, with MLS side Atlanta United reportedly keen. But Kyogo was on fire in freezing Dingwall yesterday, bagging a brace for the Hoops in their 4-1 victory over Ross County. An Arne Engels penalty and late Luke McCowan strike made it look easy for Rodgers’ men.
But Celtic were drawing 1-1 with 10 minutes to go before Kyogo grabbed his second and killed off the Staggies. Afterwards, Rodgers praised Kyogo – who played as a wide man in the Highlands – and insisted he has no intention of letting him go. When asked if he wanted him to remain at the club, Rodgers said: “Yeah, just like all the players here. We want to keep improving and developing the squad. Look at Kyoto’s goals today – that’s what he’s all about.
“He had great runs, getting around the box and also his finishes. I thought he worked really well today. You have to remember he was a winger in Japan and came to the club as a wide player. We wanted goalscorers in the team and we had to be flexible to allow him to do what he did today.”
In Baltic conditions, Rodgers was delighted with his team’s mentality in Dingwall as they dug out a victory to move 18 points clear of Rangers at the top of the Premiership. He said: “That’s the resilience of the team, they always find a way.
“The players did exceptionally well because it was super cold and the pitch was bumpy. But we found a way.
“We’ve really pleased because we trusted our football and our first goal was fantastic. Even in difficult conditions, technically the players were really strong today.”
Celtic have responded brilliantly after losing the Old Firm derby to Rangers at Ibrox. They’ve racked up three straight victories and Rodgers says it proves they were miles off it against Philippe Clement’s side.
He said: “That was never a Celtic team playing in that game (the Old Firm). It was nowhere near a Celtic team, even through the eras with the lack of competitiveness.
“Does that still irk me? It always does. When you lose any game but especially a Celtic v Rangers game and the manner in which we lost it. We know we can’t be there again and it’s a learning opportunity. But the response has been great.”
Rodgers, who used young Irish striker Johnny Kenny from the bench yesterday after a successful loan spell at Shamrock Rovers – also paid tribute to the Celtic fans who made the trip north. He had a dig at the home support last week after their win over St Mirren but he told his players yesterday they had to repay the punters’ faith.
He said: “I said to the guys there were many reasons we wanted to win. But I know a group of supporters that jumped on a boat at 3.30am to travel across then drive up here.
“They were going to stand in the freezing cold to watch a game. I said to the players, that’s commitment.
“So the bare minimum was for them to match that commitment. And I knew if we did our quality would take us through the game. It was a brilliant day for us all.”
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