Kyogo targets Celtic 'legend' status like Nakamura as he insists he OWES it to fans to score goals

Kyogo Furuhashi wants to engrave his name into Celtic history.

The Japanese striker has enjoyed two spectacular seasons at Parkhead with 54 goals. Kyogo has been touted as a potential transfer target for new Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, who took him to Glasgow from Vissel Kobe. But the hitman says he has been inspired by trying to repeat the heroics of former Celtic compatriot Shunsuke Nakamura .

Kyogo, back in Japan preparing for national team duty after a recall from coach Hajime Moriyasu, said: “Shunsuke is the Celtic legend. When I joined, I honestly had no idea that I could be able to catch up with his achievements. I’ve been trying to get people to remember my name at Celtic. I’ve been playing hard, hoping my name will be engraved in the history of Celtic one day. Now I feel like that I could catch up with Shunsuke a little.”

Kyogo admits it’s not all been smooth sailing during his time in Scotland. He missed large chunks of his first season with injury and also had to deal with being left out of Japan’s World Cup squad. But he blocks out any bad feelings when he’s on the park, adding: “Of course I sometimes get depressed. I am human.

“When I’m on the pitch, I have fans paying money to watch our performance. For me, scoring goals means showing that intention.

“Regardless of the state of my mind, when I’m on the pitch, I always play while just thinking that I want to give back to everyone by scoring goals. I have been working really hard in the last 12 months and I feel I have improved in that area.”

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