“Even in difficult times I believe I can make a splash somewhere,” Kyogo

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The Celtic Star

·21 de março de 2025

“Even in difficult times I believe I can make a splash somewhere,” Kyogo

Kyogo Furuhashi’s struggles after leaving Celtic have continued with the Japan national team, where he failed to make the bench as he Samurai Blue edged past Bahrain with a 2-0 victory to qualify for next year’s World Cup Finals…

Kyogo Furuhashi of Stade Rennais during the Ligue 1 match between Stade Rennais and RC Strasbourg on February 02, 2025 at Roazhon Park in Rennes, France. Photo by Manuel Blondeau AOP

The striker departed the Scottish Premiership champions in January, completing a £9m move to Rennes. Since his arrival in France, the 30-year-old has featured in only four matches for the struggling Ligue 1 side, with just one of those appearances being a starting role.

Vídeos OneFootball

An underwhelming start to his time in Brittany

His underwhelming start to his time in Brittany has sparked increasing rumours that Rennes may seek to offload Kyogo this summer. In another setback since his departure from Celtic, Kyogo, despite being called back to the Japan national team, was excluded from the matchday squad against Bahrain yesterday morning.

Daizen Maeda celebrates with his teammates after Japan secured their place at the 2026 World Cup Finals.

Celtic duo Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda were both named on the bench for Japan’s seventh AFC Qualifier ahead of next summer’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and USA.

Although part of the squad, Kyogo was neither named in the starting XI nor included on the bench for Hajime Moriyasu’s side’s crucial encounter.

– sexta-feira, 21 de março de 2025

At Celtic, Kyogo was repeatedly overlooked by Hajime Moriyasu

Throughout his time at Celtic, Kyogo was repeatedly overlooked by the Japan national team manager, even missing out on a place in their squad for the 2022 World Cup. This shows that the grass isn’t always greener, and that a move to a top five league will not guarantee a change in status at national team level.

Montpellier Herault SC vs. Stade Rennais FC – 02 03 2025 Kyogo FURUHASHI (SRFC) lors de l™Ã chauffement pour le match Montpellier Herault SC vs. Stade Rennais FC pour la J24 de la Ligue 1 McDonald™s au Stade de la Mosson, le 2 mars 2025. MontpellierFrance Photo: Valentina Claret

After watching his teammates secure qualification for the World Cup, Kyogo addressed his situation at Rennes, telling Nikkan Sports: “I’m running, hoping that one pass out of ten will be enough. It’s not good for a forward to stop moving there. I’m running and communicating.

“I want to stay positive and do my best”

“Even in difficult times I believe I can make a splash somewhere. To that end, I want to prepare well and polish the areas I can on the pitch. That means I can perform well when I’m on the field, and I want to stay positive and do my best.”

At least Kyogo made the squad for these two international matches, as he was continually overlooked while playing for Celtic. With qualification secured Kyogo might even get some minutes against Saudi Arabia later this week.

Montpellier Herault SC vs. Stade Rennais FC – 02 03 2025 Kyogo FURUHASHI (SRFC) lors de l™Ã chauffement pour le match Montpellier Herault SC vs. Stade Rennais FC pour la J24 de la Ligue 1 McDonald™s au Stade de la Mosson, le 2 mars 2025. MontpellierFrance Photo: Valentina Claret

“I hope to be able to show my strengths”

“I’m grateful to have been called up, and with so many good forwards,” Kyogo said, “I hope to be able to show my strengths. The national team has scored a lot of goals, so I would like to score as well if I get the chance to play.”

Kyogo will no doubt be well aware of the L’Equipe report stating that Udinese striker Florian Thauvin has been made a contract offer by Rennes with his deal in Serie A set to expire in the summer.

Reports this week also suggested that Rennes were prepared to cut their loses with Kyogo and look at selling him on on the summer for a cut-price £3.5m fee, taking a hit of around £6m in the process.

Conor Spence

Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style. Available at celticstarbooks.com