The media commences “Operation move Kyogo from Celtic to Man City”, in a desperate attempt to help their favourite club
Eric Knott 
Craig Foy - SNS Group/SNS Group/Getty Images
Well, since news arose yesterday of Man City’s reported interest in Kyogo Furuhashi, it was only a matter of time before the media jumped on it wholesale.
I’m sure they’ve already been salivating at the thoughts of Matt O’Riley leaving for Brighton, but Kyogo leaving too?
Its the stuff dreams are made of when it comes to their favourite club.
Now, I’m pretty sure they’d all but given up hope of the Ibrox side mounting any realistic challenge this season, but now they’re seeing a chink of light in the darkness.
And boy, have they latched onto it!
A Celtic side minus Matt O’Riley and Kyogo Furuhashi?
Well that would alter the Scottish football landscape entirely, wouldn’t it?
It would result in an almost level playing field for both Glasgow clubs.
Thus injecting a bit of life back into what appeared to have changed from a two horse race, to a one horse race.
I’ve got to give credit where its due, Mark Whiley of the Record really put some effort into his recent article about City’s interest in Kyogo.
So much so, that he delved into the Ange Postecoglou archives, dating back to April 2023.
Whiley decided to quote an interview from Postecoglou in the aftermath of the 3-2 win over the Ibrox side which pretty much wrapped up that season’s title.
The opening paragraph to the article is uber enthusiastic when it comes to Kyogo’s attributed as a player.
The kind of gushing praise you would never have read about him prior to now as a Celtic player.
But of course, there’s an ulterior motive at play here.
Have a look at this:
If City need further persuading about what Kyogo would bring to their star-studded side, they only have to look at previous comments from former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou – the man who brought him to the club – and Matt O’Riley, who is potentially heading for the exit door himself, with Brighton keen to sign the Denmark international.
If City need further persuading about about what Kyogo would bring to their-star studded side….
Seems to me like Mark Whiley is trying to do a nice bit of persuading all by himself?
He continues to heap praise on Kyogo before moving onto Ange Postecoglou’s glowing praise of the Japanese striker after securing a brace in that 3-2 victory:
Following an Old Firm game in April 2023, in which Kyogo scored twice in a 3-2 Celtic win, Postecoglou highlighted the player’s work ethic, ability to deliver in big games, winning mentality and “outstanding” personality.
As I stated earlier, this kind of praise is rarely in evidence in the SMSM, unless its being used for purposes such as can be seen on this article.
If our media was in any way invested in the best interests of the game here, they would instead be talking about how we should be trying to keep our best talent here.
Not outlining five terrifying reasons for Pep Guardiola to “splurge” on Kyogo Furuhashi.
Believe me, Pep Guardiola doesn’t need any terrifying reasons to sign a player.
Nor does he need Mark Whiley to give him quotes from two seasons ago to persuade him either.
Generally, if he wants to sign a player, he will sign that player.
That’s what comes with having limitless funds to spend.
If City really do want Kyogo Furuhashi, then the £20 million asking price is pocket change to them.
And that’s the worrying thing here.
The board have named a price for the Japanese striker, which indicates if its met, then they’ll sell him.
Instead of stating, “Absolutely not, the player is not for sale, at any price, he’s an integral part of our squad.”
Because as we all know, every single player at Celtic is for sale, at the right price, of course.
And if the board stood to make another £100 million in player sales to the detriment of the footballing operation, which choice do you think they’d make?
£100 million to add to the already obscene bulging bank balance?
Or acting in the best interests of the footballing operation?
I’m fairly sure you all know the answer to that one.
There is no doubting now that City will test their resolve, and let’s be clear here, that’s a resolve that doesn’t require much testing.
Even if City don’t, other clubs will now show interest.
Simply because Celtic have now shown their hand.
By naming their price, they’ve announced Kyogo is for sale.
And if a club as big as Man City is interested, then there is no way that will not pique the interest of other clubs.
We’re all aware that Kyogo recently switched agents.
And we’re also aware of the connections his new agent has to the City Group.
What has happened here may be as simple as his new agent testing the waters in an attempt to see what kind of interest he can whip up in his client.
One thing is for certain, it’s worked.
Kyogo is now in the shop window.
At 29, he has one big move left in his career.
Do you really think he would turn down Man City if they came calling?
No, I didn’t think so.
Eric if you read Celtic latest news and rumours, which I am sure you do, it is all about who we are going after which to me is a load of pure fantasy this lot that runs us is all about bank balance and not the manager,the team or the fans, it happens every window,you would think that when Brendan came back he would have been assured by DD that there would be no interference from the shower that run us and things would be done his way but when you hear him taking he always seems to be very mindful about his words.
Is the club being put up for sale
What is happening to Celtic under this current Board, with their so-called recruitment/sales “model” is utterly disgraceful. Brendan Rodgers has been banging on for 6 months now about the need to add quality to the existing team, yet not only has that not happened but they’re putting the quality we already have in the shop window.
You’re absolutely right to say that they should have immediately put out a “not for sale” message on Kyogo, but they should also have done likewise with Matt O’Riley, at least for this year with CL football just around the corner.
This Celtic Board is using the club as a feeder to more elite leagues in the interest of profit, their god. They don’t give a damn about the team or the fans, about European success or the global brand, just profit and bigger bonuses.
There is one week left in the transfer window and yet, depsite a massive bank balance already, the team is no stronger than last season when it was humiliated in Europe. Not only have they not recruited that desperately required extra quality, they’re now in the process of selling off potentially the two best quality players we have. And, once done, they’ll bring in a few low-priced alternatives to make it look like they care. It’s utterly shocking what this Board gets away with. About time Brendan manned up and called them out instead of sending constant subliminal begging messages through the media. It’s his reputation that will go down the stank very shortly unless he makes a few really serious demands of those misers in suits.
Can you imagine them doing this to Ange Postecoglu with just one week left in the transfer window? Not a chance, he’d have kicked the Boardroom door down!
All rangers players have a sell on fee two for a pound
Why do we appear to be asset stripping,when we are in rude financial health?.I was always under the impression,only businesses that were in trouble resorted to this.
Do not want either player to be sold as this will ruin a really strong team. Surely the Celtic board knows fine well the repercussions are damaging so don’t rock the fan base!
Do we really think celtic are disclosing their business dealings with amateur ‘reporters’ from cheap rumour rags.
About time these pathetic little gossip mongers with their ‘exclusives’ were kicked into touch.
Give them jobs at ibrox spouting meaningless petty gossip for their own fans. This would be the only excitement generated at the toxic cespit this season
Jim Surgeon
says:
23rd August 2024 at 5:29 pm
Do we really think celtic are disclosing their business dealings with amateur ‘reporters’ from cheap rumour rags.
About time these pathetic little gossip mongers with their ‘exclusives’ were kicked into touch.
Give them jobs at ibrox spouting meaningless petty gossip for their own fans. This would be the only excitement generated at the toxic cespit this season
—————-
Jim
Our last 14 matches in Europe, W1 D3 L10.
Rodgers has said continually about him being here to improve us in Europe.
How many are you expecting us to bring in to give us a chance of competing in Europe by next Friday?
The usual from the SMSM theranjurs are in a mess lets get a story about Celtic out there that’s been made up. Theranjurs fans aren’t called the gullible for nothing as they lap this stuff up.
Deliberate sabotage from the enemy within that is Lawwell.He wants the huns to win the league so that they can keep the lights on and he can retain his beloved O** F***.I won’t be back inside Celtic Park until he and his shower are chased down London Road.
As recently expressed by Jim S, the prolonged wait for a scrap of ‘actual-fact’ evidence of any incoming talent to enhance our team is exacerbated by illiterate half-wits who, given a platform, will falsify any assertion that the Celtic fanbase is gullible and can be easily influenced. Can the Celtic Board not see how infuriating this unnecessary time wasting will eventually impact their mindless management? Many of us will not take it on the chin. I have been a fan for 70 years – and I am not a shareholder!
Seven to go and we still don’t know what the team squad is going to look like for our future short-term exploits.