Celtic new boy Kyogo Furuhashi is following in the footsteps of Shunsuke Nakamura – and has opened up on advice from the former Bhoys hero.
The Bhoys wanted to find some attacking firepower this summer, and they used Ange Postecoglou’s knowledge of the Japanese game.
Postecoglou left Yokohama F. Marinos in order to join Celtic this summer, and Furuhashi has now followed him to Parkhead.
Furuhashi played for Yokohama’s rivals Vissel Kobe, but had secured a reputation as one of the top talents in Japanese football.
The 26-year-old hit 49 goals and 18 assists in 11 games for Vissel Kobe, becoming a hero since his 2018 move from FC Gifu.
Furuhashi was able to make his Celtic debut against Hearts last weekend, and he has now opened up on his move to Parkhead.
Furuhashi isn’t the first Japanese player to turn out for Celtic, as Shunsuke Nakamura was a hero with the Bhoys from 2005 to 2009 following a move from Reggina.
Nakamura hit 34 goals in 166 games for Celtic, and Furuhashi has told The Herald that he spoke to Nakamura before the move, and he talked up Celtic Park and the atmosphere Bhoys fans create, whilst telling him to be himself in Glasgow.
“Shunsuke is a legend, not only in Japan but here at Celtic,” said Furuhashi. “He’s a great player – and he’s still playing now. He has given the supporters lot of memories over the years at all of the clubs he has been. It’s a huge motivation of mine to work hard here but he told me I can be as successful as he was at Celtic. I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to talk to him a couple of times since I signed. He just told me to be myself. A lot of things will happen but he said, ‘You can do it’. I have confidence in myself I can achieve a lot here.”
“He also told me about Celtic Park and the incredible atmosphere. I have been there to see it and walk around the pitch – you can almost feel it already and the fan are not even there yet. I am looking forward to experiencing the stadium at full capacity. I want to score in front of the supporters and feel those cheers,” he added.
