ANGE Postecoglou tonight hailed Kyogo Furuhashi after the Celtic striker’s double in a seismic 3-2 win over Rangers – and then joked he should play down the importance of the Japanese internationalist to his side to put off any clubs who might want to sign him.
Furuhashi took his tally for the 2022/23 season to 28 with two goals in a thrilling triumph that sent the defending champions 12 points clear of their nearest challengers in the cinch Premiership table with seven games remaining.
The 28-year-old has been superb for the Glasgow giants since moving to Scotland in a £4.6m transfer from Vissel Kobe in his homeland back in the summer of 2021 – and Postecoglou is keen to keep his leading scorer for as long as possible.
“I’ve said it a few times,” he said. “From the moment this guy arrived he’s been outstanding. I don’t remember him not giving everything. In every game he plays, he’s a threat. If he doesn’t score a goal, he works so hard for the team. He delivers in the big games.
“There’s not much of him out there and he’s up against big strong defenders who get very physical with him at times because of his nature and the way he is. But make no mistake, he’s a winner. I’ve seen it first hand.
“He wants that responsibility to rise to the occasion. He wants to be the person who delivers and he did it again today.”
Postecoglou added: “He was the first one I wanted here. He didn’t arrive first, but he was the first I wanted to make sure we brought. Because I’d experienced him first hand in Japan as an opponent, which I didn’t enjoy.
“But I knew what he had to bring, not just as a player but as a person. He’s outstanding. The positive thing is that people don’t pump him up too much. If they do, other people might notice. So he’s struggling at times! Seriously, though, he’s alright.”
Rangers levelled just before half-time when James Tavernier netted a long-range free-kick – and the Ibrox captain made it 3-2 in the second-half when he headed home a Borna Barisic cross.
Postecoglou was pleased with the heart that his players showed and admitted the backing which they received from 59,621-strong crowd – Celtic supporters occupied every seat in the stadium after away fans were banned – had been crucial to the final outcome.
“It’s obviously very pleasing,” he said. “It was a typical derby with a bit of everything. Credit to both sets of players, they gave their all.
“We controlled it in different areas and always looked a threat going forward when we played through the lines. They were a threat, mainly on set-pieces. That gave an edge to the game
“But this group of players just find a way all the time. It’s unbelievable, the character and self-belief they have in each other to continually get the job done.
“The reality is that it’s difficult for them to do what I want in the midst of the chaos in the game. You’re watching them and thinking: ‘We could be a bit calmer’. But that’s easy to say from the outside.
“You know the consequence of the game, you know it’s a derby and what it does to the league. All these factors affect players. But they continually stay focused in that they won’t be taken away from reaching the goal they want.
“It’s definitely a significant victory for us. In the context of the league, we’re 12 points in front with seven games to go. But aside from that, this group of players has had an outstanding season so far.
“And to continually find a way to win a game of football, to score goals and deliver again - that’s the key part for me. Everything else, you can analyse. But that spirit they have is undeniable.”
Postecoglou added: “The support was outstanding today, unbelievable. What an atmosphere! Again, you feel privileged to be part of that. I am sure the players really got energised by it. The fans were just willing the team on.
“We had a couple of nervy minutes, but you could still see the fans were picking them up. I said to them afterwards that if you can make one person’s life a little bit better, the amount of joy that brings you is outstanding.
“I said to them they have made countless thousands of lives so much better for the next few days. There is no greater feeling for anyone, particularly the players. I want them to enjoy that because they have earned that.”
Celtic right back Alistair Johnston picked up the Man of the Match award after an inspired performance and Postecoglou singled out the Canadian internationalist, who he brought in from Montreal in December, for special praise.
“Alistair loves a battle, doesn’t he?” he said. “I think he’d have a fight by himself!
“When you bring guys in, you look at what he can bring from a playing perspective. But having been here 20 months, you also know that it takes a special kind of personality to play for this club. The expectations are there every week and you have to perform and be at your best.
“You have to overcome every opponent and Alistair exemplifies all of that.He’s a good footballer and physically he’s outstanding. But he also has that character and winning drive.
“He’s only been here for four months, but he has played in three of these games. In every one, he’s stood up really well. It is great for this football club because particularly here, the more of those types you have, the more likely you have success.”
