The striker wasn’t interested in a return to Celtic Park mid-season and has failed to make an impact at City
Kyogo Furuhashi
Struggling Kyogo Furuhashi is a deal that has “gone horribly wrong” for Birmingham City after knocking back Celtic in January.
The striker has tumbled down the pecking order at the English Championship side just months on from his £10million move from Stade Rennes.
Kyogo enjoyed a glittering career in Glasgow’s East End winning eight trophies before his switch to France – but the 31-year-old has netted just three goals this term following his return to British football.
With the frontman facing the prospect of missing out on Japan’s World Cup squad, Celtic enquired over a loan deal to bring the frontman back to the Hoops.
Following talks, Martin O’Neill described a deal as “unlikely” with Kyogo – who netted 85 goals for the Hoops – looking to remain at St Andrews and fight for his place.
The Hoops added strikers Tomas Cvancara and Junior Adamu on loan instead – but O’Neill has struggled to settle on a first-choice frontman with just five Premiership games remaining in the title fight.
While the Hoops are battling Hearts and Rangers for silverware, Kyogo is watching on at St Andrew’s and is out of action for the remainder of the campaign after undergoing surgery to fix a long-standing shoulder issue – which stretches back to his time at Celtic Park.
Kyogo Furuhashi of Birmingham City(Image: Matt West/Shutterstock)
English Football League veteran and pundit Don Goodman confesses he has proven wrong – having thought the frontman would be a smash-hit at Birmingham.
Speaking to BestOnlineCasino.com the former West Brom and Wolves striker said: “Their first game at St Andrew’s, they played Ipswich Town, who were clearly the pre-season favourites to win that league.
“And they drew 1-1. Ipswich got a late penalty. But Birmingham, in reality, in terms of performance of the game, smashed them.
“I had already said to my Birmingham City friends that I have, and there are many, don’t expect to be up near the top this season because you’ve just romped League One. The Championship is a different animal.
“And Ipswich were an exception rather than a rule when they came up from League One and went straight up to the Premier League the following season. It rarely, rarely happens like that.
“So Kyogo was excellent on the night. I liked his movement. He had a goal fairly harshly ruled out for a barge into the back of a defender, which was soft. But the finish after that, I thought, wow, they’re onto something here.
“And, honestly, he started missing real gilt-edge chances in those first six, eight games and you could slowly but surely just see the confidence drain away from him.
“In terms of value for money, it’s gone horribly wrong with regard to that particular transfer. And it’s surprising, really.
“I like his movement. He’s energetic, he’s quick. But he didn’t look like he could hit a barn door, if I’m honest with you, after a difficult start.”