Former Celtic star Kyogo Furuhashi remains determined to make an impact at Stade Rennes despite a difficult start to life in France…
The 30-year-old, who left the Hoops in January for a £10 million move to Ligue 1, has struggled with injuries and limited playing time, leading to speculation about his future.
Furuhashi has yet to find the net for his new club, making just four appearances under manager Habib Beye, who replaced Jorge Sampaoli shortly after the striker’s arrival. Despite his lack of minutes, he remains optimistic about his trajectory at Rennes.
“I am gaining confidence,” Kyogo told Tokyo Sports. “I’m putting my all into the game and showing my skills every day, and my time is increasing little by little. I think I’m almost there. I will actively work on it and practice onwards for next season.”
International Recognition Despite Club Struggles
Despite his lack of club minutes, Kyogo earned a call-up to Japan’s national team for their recent World Cup qualifiers against Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. While he did not make the squad for the first match, he came off the bench for a 16-minute cameo in the goalless draw against Saudi Arabia.
Looking ahead, Furuhashi remains focused on earning a place in Japan’s squad for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
“If I could have entered training with more strength, we could have seen a slightly different scene. I want to be able to break through. I hope to be called up to the next national team again,” he added.
Speculation Over a Celtic Return
Furuhashi’s struggles in France have sparked speculation about a potential return to Celtic Park, with manager Brendan Rodgers yet to replace him. The club’s striking options remain limited, with Adam Idah the only recognized first-team striker following Kyogo’s departure. Daizen Maeda has filled in as a central forward in recent weeks, while Johnny Kenny has seen limited action since returning from a loan spell at Sligo Rovers.
Former Celtic forward Andy Walker believes a return to Glasgow is not out of the question.
“I think there’s always a chance,” Walker said on Go Radio’s Football Show. “Celtic have brought Kieran Tierney back, they’ve brought Jota back. They made a big profit on Jota, for example.
“Kieran Tierney will be welcomed with open arms, given his history at Celtic and the quality that he still has. And the only thing you ask of Kieran Tierney is you hope he gets that bit of luck and he remains injury-free.”
With Kyogo still adapting to French football and Celtic yet to find a long-term replacement for their former talisman, his future remains a talking point as the summer transfer window approaches.
