Ange Postecoglou sings the praises of Celtic’s Japanese star Kyogo Furuhashi after his impressive two-goal performance lifted them to League Cup final victory over Old Firm rivals Rangers
- Celtic coach Ange Postecoglou reserved special praise for one of his team’s stars
- Postecoglou praised Kyogo Furuhashi after his final two-goal display
- Celtic clinched the Scottish League Cup title on Sunday after beating Rangers
Ange Postecoglou praised Kyogo Furuhashi’s “superb” performance after the Celtic striker defeated Rangers in the Viaplay Cup final.
A Hampden hero with two goals against Hibernian in last season’s final, the Japanese striker repeated the feat with two more goals in the 2-1 victory that clinched the title for the Scottish champions.
Furuhashi took his tally for the season to 24 with close-range finishes on either side of halftime.
Despite Alfredo Morelos pulling back, Celtic enjoyed a comfortable victory, missing several chances to extend their lead in the final minutes.
On a day when his talisman had chances to score a rare hat-trick in the cup final, Postecoglou praised Furuhashi’s overall contribution to a victory that kept the team’s dream in the treble.
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou (left) praises star striker Kyogo Furuhashi (right)
Furuhashi (top green and white) scored twice in Sunday’s Old Firm League Cup final
Furuhashi (right) was full of jubilation at full time as his goals helped Celtic to a famous victory over their rivals
The Celtic manager said: ‘It’s not just about his goals. They are the most important thing, but he works a lot. He is another who, whatever rewards he receives, are hard earned.
‘He’s not floating around just waiting for a chance. He’s pushing himself to do things other strikers won’t do because he knows it’s the right thing for the team.
‘The players at this club are often measured by how they perform on the biggest stages – and he delivers again.
‘You look at him, the size he is and the players he faces, and he doesn’t shy away from it. He puts the opposition under pressure, he’s so smart with movement and he wants to be front and center when opportunities come. He was excellent and has been from the moment he joined this club.’
Furuhashi scored his first Old Firm goal in four attempts in a 2-2 draw at Ibrox last month. By extending his run to three games in two, it meant that Michael Beale’s hopes of preserving his unbeaten run as Rangers manager were effectively over after the Japanese star’s second goal in the 56th minute.
“He has already played in two finals for us and scored four goals,” added Postecoglou. ‘He’s just an unbelievable young man.
“He’s such a smart player and he wants the big moments.”
Furuhashi told Celtic fans there was more to come after yesterday’s double.
The Japanese star (left) poses with his Celtic teammates as they lift the League Cup trophy
Celtic boss Postecoglou (lifting the trophy) labeled Furuhashi an ‘unbelievable young man’
‘I still have a lot to improve to become a better player and contribute to the team, which is the most important thing for me’, said the striker.
‘I just want to smile at the end of the season with the rest of the team.’
He scored when Daizen Maeda crossed from Greg Taylor just before half-time.
Recalling the moment that turned the game in his team’s favour, he said: ‘I thought Daizen was going to score but then the ball came to me, so I thought it was my duty to score! I was happy to score two goals’.