The Celtic PR team must be anxiously looking for good news stories. There haven't been too many around of late. They’ll be well aware that fans are getting even more frustrated day by day.
The lack of signings is a major factor in that. It contributes to quite a flat preseason period. Look at all the empty seats on Saturday at Celtic Park for the visit of Middlesbrough. So right now, the PR folks will be glad of almost anything to try and shift the mood of fans. Another happy birthday ex-player post isn't going to do that.
They might be thinking that the rumours of Kyogo Furuhashi making a return to Parkhead would be a boost. A fairly recent hero, a goal scorer and quite a fan favourite in his previous time at the club.
Could Kyogo return to Celtic?
There were stories that he might return in January when the club was desperate for a forward. Kyogo was then desperate for game time and a few goals. His move to Rennes a year past, last January, hadn't gone well. The shift to Birmingham City didn't come off for him either. But it seems he didn't feel ready to return to Glasgow, and nothing came of a deal.
Now, though, the rumours are warming up again. It’s said the player is now keen on the move. He’s had a long-awaited shoulder operation and probably feels better about his fitness again. He has featured for Birmingham this pre-season but was missing from their squad in midweek.
Ex-coach at Celtic and now Birmingham manager Chris Davies referenced Kyogo’s absence by hinting that imminent news would explain it. That hints strongly at a move for the player. Celtic remain desperate for a forward; they haven't really replaced Kyogo since he left.
Kyogo return may not be the good news story Celtic badly need
Will it all align? Will this give some good news to share with the media and fans? Maybe, to some extent, any signing will be welcomed. But it would be wrong to expect an all-round cheer and warm welcome.
Fans will look at the way the player left. They’ll note his goal-scoring record since then and a dip in form before he left. Most of all, they will likely see such a move as confirmation that the club is bereft of ideas. It’s not a good look or endorsement of the clubs already heavily criticises recruitment policy and approach.
Only time will tell if it could be a good move. Certainly, a goal scorer, if he can regain form, will help hugely. Another striker would still be needed, but Kyogo may work as part of a squad, rotating and changing to meet needs. But it still feels like a long and desperate shot, and an attempt at an easy fix. It could yet backfire hugely, both on and off the pitch.
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