When a Celtic player gets referenced positively alongside a great like Henrik Larsson it’s top praise indeed and has to be a great confidence booster. Someone who knows the Swedish legend better than most is Hoops legend, Martin O’Neill, who managed him for several years. And he had some great things to say as well.
It is way too early in Kyogo Furuhashi’s Parkhead career for people to compare him with Larsson. The latter didn’t get called the ‘King of Kings’ by the fans lightly. But inevitably, as the Japanese player continues to score regularly and top the goal scoring charts, there will be comparisons.
In the run up to this weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final, the comparison was raised to O’Neill. He, of course, managed Larsson to great success in his time at the club.
O’Neill took the opportunity to reflect on Larsson’s success in Scotland and in European games. But at the same time, he had a lot of positive things to say about Kyogo as well in what was a measured and, in many ways, perfect response to the comparisons.
O’Neill makes brilliant claim about Celtic superstar
As reported by BBC, O’Neill said about the matter:
"“There’s lots of comparisons with Henrik Larsson – I think Kyogo’s got a bit to do yet.“By comparison with Henrik he’s been here about 10 minutes but he’s very, very good.“He definitely has an eye for a goal, can turn in the box, It just seems as if that’s what he wants to do. He’s been excellent, moreso because we hadn’t really known anything about him.“Let me put it this way, he’s on the right path. He has a lot to do. But even to draw some comparison with Henrik shows you that he’s doing okay.”"
Ange Postecoglou will be delighted by Kyogo’s performances and goal scoring feats. And the player himself should be pleased to hear O’Neill’s recognition as he prepares for another derby showdown at Hampden Park.
With his 23 league goals so far to his name, he is currently the top scorer in the Scottish Premiership. His scoring rate is quite amazing and way ahead of the competition. Kyogo may have some way to go to get close to Larsson’s amazing records, but he is very much a Celtic superstar in his own right.
His two goals against the Rangers at Hampden Park secured the League Cup for the Hoops. He will surely be looking for more goals this weekend to help the club reach the Scottish Cup final and keep hopes of a treble alive.