Celtic’s forward options are severely lacking after the recent transfer window.
A summer transfer window which began with the departure of Nicolas Kuhn to Como did not really get better from there on, as Brendan Rodgers missed out on a number of key targets.
Deals for the likes of Jakob Breum, Louis Munteanu and most recently Kasper Dolberg have not come to fruition, despite Rodgers being assured on the club working to improve the squad.
The club’s main priority of the start of the season was to qualify for this season’s Champions League, and despite a favourable draw against Kairat Almaty, they also failed to succeed on this front.
It’s hard to argue that the January sale of Kyogo Furuhashi, who now plays for Birmingham, has left a gap which remains unfilled. And in the eyes of one former Celtic hero, the man from Japan wishes he was still in Glasgow.
Charlie Mulgrew says former Celtic star still wishes he was here… and Brendan Rodgers could’ve used him against Kairat
Charlie Mulgrew knows what it means to play for Celtic in the Champions League… he also knows what it’s like to chase promotion in the English Championship.
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
For him, there’s no doubting where Kyogo would rather be… and if he was available against Kairat, he could’ve made the difference.
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, he said: “You definitely would’ve fancied him going through on goal against Kairat. As much as Maeda’s going through and you’re hopeful, you’re thinking… ‘I don’t know if he’ll score that.’
“He’ll be playing for Birmingham right now, wishing he was still at Celtic. It’s just a much better place to be, and play. That’s the reality.
“He’s in Birmingham, and although Birmingham are a big club, I just think that playing for Celtic, potentially in the Champions League and winning trophies… it’s a hard one.”
Had Kyogo made a different decision in January, he could’ve been playing in Europe’s premier competition, rather than England’s second tier.
Kyogo Furuhashi not the only star Celtic have failed to replace
Along with Kyogo and the aforementioned Kuhn, Jota is another star Celtic are struggling with the absence of, after a long-term injury sustained in May.
Brendan Rodgers has commented on the goals his side have lost since the side’s last campaign, as well as the challenges that come with trying to fill those gaps.
The sudden departure of Adam Idah to Swansea is unlikely to help. The striker may not have always earned rave reviews during his time at Parkhead, but his 20 goals last season are still something that will be missed.
For Mulgrew, Kyogo will be wishing he was able to help… instead, he will be linking up with other former Celtic stars in an attempt to get to the Premier League.