Kyogo’s Celtic return – “I’d still take him back in a heartbeat,” Sutton

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The Celtic Star

·27. Dezember 2025

Kyogo’s Celtic return – “I’d still take him back in a heartbeat,” Sutton

Chris Sutton would have Kyogo back at Celtic in a heartbeat, thus putting forward an alternative view from Just an Ordinary Bhoy who writing on The Celtic Star this morning argued that Celtic should be looking forward and not backwards when it comes to recruiting some badly needed additions to our front line in the January transfer window.

Kyogo Furuhashi of Birmingham City celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Willum Willumsson during the Carabao Cup first round match between Birmingham City and Sheffield United at St Andrew’s at Knighthead Park on August 13, 2025. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

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There is some humour in Celtic’s ‘World Class in Everything We Do’ CEO actually going out after a year’s delay and replacing Kyogo with KYOGO and that would be way too embarrassing for the tinning skinned Michael Nicholson to even contemplate.

Sutton understands that would be a concern but after Kyogo has failed to establish himself at both Rennes and Birmingham City, thus effectively killing his hopes of an international return for the World Cup next summer, the Sky Sports pundit reckons that a Parkhead return would suit both the player and the Scottish Champions just fine.

Former Celtic star Kyogo Furuhashi, personal message after joining Birmingham City from Rennes. Photo Birmingham City FC

“It’s clear he’s lacking in confidence and perhaps a shadow of the player he was for most of his time in Scotland, while some people might say there were signs of decline in his final six months at Parkhead,” Sutton stated, as reported by Glasgow Times.

“But for all that, I’d still take him back in a heartbeat. Because the simple fact is, he would still be far better than anything Celtic have right now.

“Kyogo proved he’s a big game player at the club. He thrived in this environment and produced the goods when his team needed it most, in cup finals, derbies, and in Europe,” Sutton said.

Kyogo Furuhashi runs with the ball during the Scottish Cup Fourth Round match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on January 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“Listen, I have my doubts it would happen. Would he want to come back to Glasgow? It would also be effectively an admission the recruitment department weren’t doing their jobs properly that it takes 12 months to replace Kyogo – with Kyogo.”

“There are surely strikers out there being scouted, and there’s a desperate need to get at least one in the door early in the January transfer window.

“It’s an area that is hurting Celtic right now as Johnny Kenny is not cutting it. Daizen Maeda does what Daizen Maeda does and is more effective wide anyway and Kelechi Iheanacho’s quality is not much use when he’s unreliable due to fitness issues.”

Hyunjun Yang of Celtic FC celebrates after scoring his teams first goal Feyenoord Rotterdam v Celtic FC, UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD5, Feyenoord v Celtic FC, De Kuip, November 27, 2025, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

A side issue worthy of a mention is the situation regarding Celtic South Korean winger Yang, who was frustrated by Michael Nicholson’s dithering on deadline day in early September and was forced to remain at Celtic instead of completing his agreed move to Birmingham City.

Birmingham remain keen on signing Yang in the January window and there are plenty of other clubs interested too. If Birmingham City remains his preference Celtic can’t really stand in his way and that could open the door for a return to Paradise for Kyogo as part of the deal.

Birmingham City v Ipswich Town EFL Sky Bet Championship 08/08/2025. Birmingham City Kyogo Furuhashi during the EFL Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Ipswich Town at the St Andrew’s Stadium, Birmingham on 8 August 2025. Photo Andy Shaw PSI (IMAGO)

Perhaps Celtic – ever cautious when it comes to spending money on players – would look at taking Kyogo on loan to the summer with an option to buy thereafter. While it would be a stick to beat the board with it has plenty of up-side if Kyogo starts scoring and there’s the momentum that has been lacking pretty much since he left Celtic at the end of January 2025.

It might not be as forward thinking as Ordinary Bhoy wants but signing a new striker and bringing back Kyogo on loan would certainly improve Celtic’s chances in the league, Scottish Cup and even the Europa League.

Something, old, something new, someone borrowed from the Blues.

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