‘Excellent’ Kyogo Furuhashi Earns Praise From Celtic Boss Brendan Rodgers After Key Victory

Celtic's manager, Brendan Rodgers, praised Kyogo Furuhashi for his outstanding performance in the recent 3-1 victory against St Johnstone. Furuhashi, who had been struggling to match his previous season's scoring feats, demonstrated his value by scoring a goal and providing an assist. This win propelled Celtic back to the top of the cinch Premiership, setting the stage for a competitive season.

Furuhashi's contribution was pivotal, marking his 16th goal of the season. His efforts included a 40th-minute header from Nicolas Kuhn's cross and setting up Kuhn for another goal right at the start of the second half. Despite having two goals disallowed for offside and hitting the crossbar, Furuhashi's performance was a testament to his sharpness and readiness on the field.

Rodgers highlighted the importance of competition within the team, noting Adam Idah's impressive performances as a catalyst for Furuhashi's resurgence. He commended Furuhashi's bravery and movement on the field, emphasizing his crucial role in both goals scored during the match.

Nicolas Kuhn also received praise from Rodgers for his speed and ability to make significant contributions, including his second goal for Celtic. Despite initial challenges upon joining the team, Kuhn has shown considerable improvement and played a key role in this victory.

The match also saw James Forrest coming off the bench to add a third goal for Celtic, while Alistair Johnston had a goal disallowed due to a marginal offside call. Rodgers expressed satisfaction with the team's overall performance but noted a slight drop in pressing intensity following several substitutions.

On the other side, St Johnstone's manager Craig Levein acknowledged his team's defensive efforts but lamented their inability to maintain possession and create scoring opportunities. He pointed out that constant turnovers invited relentless attacks from Celtic, making it difficult for St Johnstone to sustain pressure.

Levein also shared concerns about midfielder Sven Sprangler, who suffered a knee injury during the match. The extent of Sprangler's injury remains uncertain, with further assessments needed to determine his recovery timeline.

This match not only highlighted Celtic's offensive capabilities but also underscored the competitive nature of the cinch Premiership. With performances like these, Celtic continues to assert its dominance and resilience in pursuit of championship glory.