UPDATE: Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has confirmed that a return for striker Kyogo Furuhashi to Parkhead is “unlikely” as the 30-year-old aims to establish himself at Birmingham City. This news comes after ongoing discussions regarding a potential loan move for the prolific forward, who had a stellar record during his time with Celtic.
Furuhashi’s £10 million transfer to Rennes last January did not yield the expected results, and since moving to Birmingham, he has found the net only once. O’Neill expressed doubt about Furuhashi’s willingness to leave Birmingham, stating, “I would have said that [a move] would probably be unlikely. I think everything’s premature. I think there is a viewpoint that he wants to really prove himself at Birmingham.”
In a crucial moment for Celtic, O’Neill, who returned to the club just last week, emphasized the need for new signings to bolster the squad as they chase the title. “We’re doing plenty of work on it, seriously,” he affirmed. “We are well aware that we have to supplement the squad.”
The urgency is palpable as Celtic trails behind rivals Rangers, who recently secured a midweek win over Aberdeen, putting them three points ahead after playing one more game. Leaders Hearts are sitting six points clear of the defending champions, making O’Neill’s call for reinforcements even more critical. “I think it will be crucial,” he stated, echoing the necessity for Celtic to act swiftly in the transfer market.
O’Neill also addressed speculation surrounding Celtic captain Callum McGregor, who has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia to reunite with former manager Brendan Rodgers. “If you’re asking me, would he go in this transfer window, that would be a major shock. A major disappointment for me,” O’Neill said, underscoring McGregor’s importance to the team. “I don’t think we could cope with that.”
As the transfer window continues, all eyes will be on Celtic to see if they can secure the reinforcements needed to remain competitive in the title race. The pressure is mounting, and time is running out. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see how O’Neill’s plans unfold in the coming days.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
