On January 11, Celtic FC faced off against Ross County in the Scottish Premiership, marking yet another showcase of skill for Japanese forward Kyogo Furuhashi, who scored twice to help secure a 4-1 victory for his team. This match, which was held at the home ground of Ross County, highlighted Furuhashi’s rising significance within the team and the league.
Celtic came off strong after their recent victories, having won two consecutive matches. They were eager to maintain this momentum and solidify their position at the top of the league table. The first half saw Celtic controlling the ball for long stretches, though breaking through Ross County's defense proved challenging at times. With Daizen Maeda sitting on the bench for reasons not disclosed, Furuhashi and Ryōsuke Kaji took the field to make their mark.
The turning point came at the 40-minute mark, with Furuhashi demonstrating his acute awareness and positioning. A low cross from Alistair Johnston found Furuhashi perfectly timed as he redirected the ball with one touch, scoring his first goal of the match. This goal not only gave Celtic the lead but was also significant as it marked Furuhashi's first of the new year. The Japanese ace had now accumulated nine league goals this season, building on his previous accomplishments.
Despite having the advantage, the second half opened with unexpected pressure from Ross County. They managed to equalize the game at 1-1 after 60 minutes when Jordan White converted a penalty, prompting Celtic to ramp up their efforts to reclaim the lead.
It was then Furuhashi answered the call of duty once more. With just under ten minutes remaining, he connected expertly with another cross, this time from Arne Engels, executing a powerful header to score his second goal. This brought his league tally to ten for the season, demonstrating his consistency and importance to the team.
The match didn't end there, as Celtic added two more goals within the dying moments of the game — one from Engels who scored from the penalty spot, and another from Luke McKowan, sealing the match at 4-1, reflecting not only the team's strong performance but also their domination with three league wins in succession.
Furuhashi’s brace excited fans and illustrated his growing influence at Celtic, where he has quickly established himself as one of the club’s key players. Upon completing this match, he had now scored double-digit goals for four consecutive seasons since joining the club. His presence on the pitch not only inspires his teammates but also instills confidence among fans who rally behind the club.
His coach praised him post-match, noting his natural goal-scoring instincts and ability to perform under pressure. Furuhashi’s knack for finding himself at the right place at the right time showcased his relentless pursuit of excellence.
With this victory, Celtic maintained their stronghold at the top of the Scottish Premiership, leading Rangers by 18 points, which puts them firmly on track to clinch the title once again this season. The team looks forward to maintaining this pace as they strive to achieve even greater heights, buoyed by performances like Furuhashi's.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as Celtic continues to compete, eager to see if Furuhashi can sustain his impressive form and contribute to what is shaping up to be another memorable season for the club.