Celtic defender Stephen Welsh has hit out with some high praise for striker Kyogo Furuhashi, admitting that he is extremely tough to deal with in training.
The electric frontman has returned to form over the past few games, his goal off the bench against Livingston in the cup last weekend ensuring he got the nod versus St. Johnstone on Saturday.
Against the Perth side, Kyogo took his opportunity, scoring once but he easily could have had three or four.
The 29-year-old terrorised the backline of the Saints, and Welsh has revealed that he sympathises with the opposition: “I feel bad for defenders every Saturday watching them because I know exactly how they feel”, he said (Glasgow Times).
“He’s a brilliant wee player and he does so much for the team off the ball as well. It’s the same with Daizen (Maeda). The both of them run their socks off. Their running stats are incredible when you look at them after a game.”
The academy graduate is glad he only has to deal with Kyogo behind the scenes: “He’s an absolute nightmare to play against in training”, he said.
“It definitely makes you a better player facing him. The quality we’ve got in the team and training every day can only improve you.”
In a few weeks against Livingston, it remains to be seen whether the centre-half will keep his place in the team amid Liam Scales’ return to fitness.
The 24-year-old has been relatively reliable over the past few games, but Rodgers has never hidden his admiration of Welsh’s Irish teammate.
Scales has not missed many games throughout the campaign, and one imagines he will slot straight back into the defence alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers next Sunday.
