Leaving Celtic doesn’t always lead to better things.
Financially, the Scottish giants can’t match the riches of Europe’s top leagues due to the limitations of the Scottish Premiership. But that doesn’t change the fact that Celtic is still a massive club with huge influence—one that, despite its stature, continues to see top talents leave for bigger paychecks abroad.
Kyogo Furuhashi is a prime example, having made a surprise move during the January window.
The Japanese forward made headlines when he signed for Birmingham City, celebrating his arrival with his trademark gesture, as shown in a video shared by the club.
His brief spell with Rennes in France didn’t go as planned. Despite joining mid-season, he struggled for game time, rarely getting off the bench, and failed to find the net. Now, though, he’s been handed a fresh opportunity with Championship side Birmingham City.
Barry Ferguson, a former Birmingham player himself, shared his thoughts on Go Radio, praising Kyogo’s attitude and suggesting the club got a major bargain.
“Clearly, it hasn’t worked out for him,” Ferguson admitted. “But again, what did they pay, £8 million? I think that’s a snip for a player of that quality.”
He went on to highlight the striker’s strengths:
“A goalscorer. Again. Similar to Maeda. His work ethic was a massive part of his game. See, as a footballer, when you play with guys like that, I used to love playing with guys who were workman-like, but also had the quality.”
Despite his challenges abroad, Kyogo’s impact at Celtic remains unforgettable. Many fans still view him as the club’s best striker since Henrik Larsson—a huge compliment considering Larsson’s legendary status.
Former teammate Charlie Mulgrew also paid tribute to the forward, emphasizing how tough he was to face.
“His movement was unbelievable playing against him,” said Mulgrew. “Just non-stop. Go short, to go in behind you. Constantly moving. He doesn’t stand still. He doesn’t ever stand still.”
Mulgrew continued:
“When you have the ball, he is all over you like a rash, and doesn’t give you a second to get your head up. A good player.”
