Brendan Rodgers is closing in on a return to Celtic for a second stint as the manager of the club. An announcement of his arrival is expected on Monday and it remains to be seen if that turns out to be the case. Even if it is not, the Northern Irishman is the heavy favourite to be the man in the Parkhead dugout next season.
Of course, this will be a fresh beginning for most Celtic players. The majority of this squad was assembled during the time of Ange Postecoglou as manager, and they would not have worked with Rodgers in the past.
Thus, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for most of them. Some surprising names could end up being dropped while some forgotten players could make an unexpected return to the fold.
One man who is expected to remain as the main man up top for Celtic is Kyogo Furuhashi, after scoring 34 goals last season. Will Rodgers be able to get the best out of him though? Well, the Japanese forward has earned comparisons with someone that the manager will know quite well – Jamie Vardy.
Vardy claim made regarding Celtic superstar
As reported by Football Insider, Frank McAvennie said about Kyogo:
"“There is not a lot you can do with some of these players except let them play, so I can’t see him holding back.“Kyogo is like a younger, faster Jamie Vardy so he will be used to that.“What a player Vardy was but when Brendan went there he was over 30 years old so he has got a younger version there in Kyogo who can turn a game.“That is a tool that Brendan never had last time he was at Celtic. It will be interesting to see who he keeps and who he moves on.”"
Of course, Kyogo has been linked with a move away from Celtic Park this summer as well. Several Premier League clubs are rumoured to be keeping an eye on his situation. And unsurprisingly, there have been rumours of a reunion with Postecoglou at Tottenham Hotspur too.
If Kyogo does stay on at Celtic for a few more seasons though, he has the chance to go down as a club legend. He has been an exceptional player for the Hoops and has proven himself as a man for the big moments as well, scoring 5 goals in his 3 Hampden Park finals.