Celtic FC showcased their dominance as they triumphed over Ross County with a convincing 4-1 victory on January 11, 2025. The highlight of the match featured Kyogo Furuhashi, who exhibited his scoring prowess by netting two goals, bringing his tally to ten for the season. This win marked Celtic's third consecutive victory and reinforced their position at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
The clash, held at Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall, saw manager Brendan Rodgers adopt a fresh tactical approach, fielding Furuhashi as a right-sided midfielder alongside striker Daizen Maeda on the bench, with Reo Hatate starting on the field until the latter stages of the match.
Furuhashi's first goal arrived just before half-time, at the 40-minute mark, when he capitalized on a well-placed low cross from right-back Alistair Johnston. The Japanese forward reacted swiftly, directing the ball seamlessly with a deft touch to get his team on the scoreboard first.
Although Celtic faced adversity after conceding an equalizer from the penalty spot early in the second half, Furuhashi's determination shone through when he struck again. At the 81st minute, he connected with another cross, this time from the left side, executing a perfectly timed header to restore Celtic's lead.
The late stages of the match saw Celtic maintain pressure, with Engels converting a penalty and substitute McGowan adding the final touch two minutes later, sealing the game at 4-1. The impressive scoreline was the culmination of Celtic's relentless pursuit for dominance throughout the match.
This performance adds to Furuhashi's remarkable record since joining Celtic, having now achieved double-digit league goals for four consecutive seasons. His scoring consistency, underlined by ten league goals this season, emphasizes the strategic success of Brendan Rodgers’ decision to utilize him more dynamically on the field.
Furuhashi's contributions were acknowledged as pivotal, illustrating not only his goal-scoring ability but also his adaptability within Celtic's ever-evolving tactical frameworks.
Celtic's next test will be against Dundee on January 15, 2025, as they look to extend their winning streak and maintain their momentum at the top of the league standings. Furuhashi's performance against Ross County undoubtedly sets the tone for the challenges lying ahead.