The debate of Kyogo Furuhashi being the best striker at Celtic often gets misconstrued into one about comparing both players.
In truth, Kyogo is nowhere near Larsson’s ability and that is not a slight on the current Celtic striker it’s really more to do with just how good the Swedish striker was in his prime.
The Japanese striker hit his 80th goal in Celtic’s defeat of Hearts in a game that was Kyogo’s 150th for the club.
And whilst Larsson has a four-season start on the Kyogo after he spent seven trophy-laden years at Celtic, many fans believe that the 29-year-old is the best striker at the club since the Swedish superstar donned the green and white Hoops.
But what does former Celtic manager, Martin O’Neill think?
Martin O’Neill praises ‘exceptional’ Kyogo as being ‘as good as anyone’ since Henrik Larsson at Celtic
The legendary former Celtic boss managed Larsson for the five years he was at the club and was asked by a fan if Kyogo is the best he’s seen since the retired Hoops legend.
O’Neill told The Go Radio Football Show [15m], “That’s a really good point. He’s an excellent player. And I suppose you would have to look at it.
“I can’t think offhand who might have been better than him at the time, but still a bit to go to be in the same league as Henrik Larsson. However, he’s done splendidly.
Strangely enough, Mark and I on the way into the studio tonight, were talking about him, and very difficult to make an assessment of how good he would be.
“Let’s say he moved down to, let’s say, the Premier League or something. I think personally he would score a bag full of goals in the Championship, but he is quick and he does get in behind people, and that’s something that a lot of centre forwards, even in the Premier League, are reluctant to do.
“They don’t really want to get in behind, they want to come forward for the ball, perhaps because they can’t get in behind. But yeah, he’s been exceptional. I think he’s a really good player, and really I’d probably have to look at the history books between now and then.
“But yeah, he’s as good as anyone since Henrik.
Kyogo Furuhashi’s goalscoring record vs Rangers compared to Henrik Larsson at Celtic
There is simply no way that comparisons can be made between both strikers as Henrik is a legend in his own rite at Celtic.
So, just for fun, 67 Hail Hail compiled how both forwards have fared against Rangers in their careers and, to be fair to Kyogo, he’s not too far behind Larsson’s goal haul.
Whilst both strikers have scored some great goals against Rangers for Celtic, nothing will top this classic from Larsson in the Demolition Derby back in 2000.
And as for the comparisons? Celtic fans shouldn’t bother too much about that and many probably don’t. Let’s just appreciate the fact that the club has had two incredible strikers strut their stuff on the Parkhead turf whilst creating special memories for the Hoops support.
