Kenny Dalglish feels Kyogo Furuhashi’s return gives Celtic edge against Rangers

Kenny Dalglish believes the availability of top scorer Kyogo Furuhashi will give Celtic an extra psychological edge ahead of Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final with Rangers.

The Hoops are deemed favourites by many for the Hampden showdown after beating their city rivals 2-1 at Ibrox a week last Sunday to move six points clear at the top of the cinch Premiership.

The only negative development for Celtic in the build-up is that striker Giorgos Giakoumakis looks set to miss out with a hamstring problem.

But former striker Dalglish feels the return from injury of 16-goal Kyogo – who made his first appearance of 2022 as substitute in Saturday’s 7-0 win over St Johnstone – will make Rangers wary.“Even if Kyogo doesn’t start he’s a hell of a substitute to bring on,” said Dalglish. “If Celtic fall behind then he’s great man to bring on.“If Rangers see him stripping off and getting ready to come on for the last 20 minutes or half an hour, you’re not going to be too comfortable are you?“Kyogo was brilliant at the beginning of the season and even in the first Old Firm game which Rangers won he was through three times on Allan McGregor who had to make big saves. His movement and pace is good.”Dalglish insists whatever happens on Sunday is unlikely to have any bearing on the outcome of the title race, with Celtic six points clear with five games to play.“I don’t think it’ll affect what happens with the league campaign,” he said.

“That’s 100 per cent in Celtic’s hands and there’s one Old Firm game to come (in the Premiership). If they come through that then it’s almost done and dusted for them, isn’t it?

“You can tell by the way they went about their job at the weekend, beating St Johnstone 7-0, that they want to make sure they finish