The one-time England international frontman was Martin O’Neill’s first signing for the club in the summer of 2000 when he arrived in a £6million switch from Chelsea.
The incoming Hoops boss urgently required firepower with Mark Viduka already heading out of Parkhead with Leeds United prepared to pay the exact same amount as Celtic agreed to splash on his replacement.
Sutton reckons another hitman is a priority for the team as they pursue their twelfth title in 13 years and the 54th in their history.
“Kyogo Furuhashi is the top striker at Celtic and has proven his worth,” the media pundit stated. The Japanese are preferred, and with good reason.
In the summer of 2000, Martin O’Neill made his first acquisition for the team when he acquired the former England international forward in a £6 million transfer from Chelsea.
With Mark Viduka already leaving Parkhead and Leeds United willing to pay the same amount as Celtic planned to spend lavishly on his replacement, the new Hoops manager desperately needed firepower.
Sutton believes that the squad should prioritize adding another hitman as they look to win their 54th championship overall and their twelfth in the last thirteen years.
The media pundit said: “Kyogo Furuhashi is the top striker at Celtic and has proved his worth. The Japanese is first pick and rightly so.
“He didn’t have a lot of game-time in his career, he wasn’t really known to fans here and available on a tiny fee in comparison to his talent because no-one else was looking where Ange Postecoglou was looking.
“Postecoglou was ahead of the game. Hatate was, and is, brilliant. Matt O’Riley. No-one was really looking at him either performing for MK Dons. Rodgers now needs to be ahead of the game in the same way and find this year’s versions of Hatate and O’Riley and not, with respect, versions of Jeremy Toljan or Oli Burke.”
The beloved former Hoops player continued, saying, “Striker is the big one.” Oh Hyeon-gyu isn’t all that horrible, in my opinion. In many aspects, he’s perfect because he’s still young and understands that Kyogo is the team’s primary player.
“That works well with an Oh. But how can you persuade a true caliber hitman who has demonstrated his abilities to spend the most of his time on the bench?
“Observe Giorgos Giakoumakis.” No matter how many goals he scored for Celtic, he wouldn’t replace Kyogo in the starting lineup until the Japanese player was hurt or getting a rest. The Champions League? Cup Finals? previous Firm games? Kyogo got going. Finally,
Finding the solution is Rodgers’, Mark Lawwell’s, and the recruitment team’s responsibility. It becomes a difficult balancing act unless you are willing to pay a high price to have someone take Kyogo’s position.
“And with a title on the line and no safety net for second in Glasgow, Celtic must tread carefully.”
A week from tomorrow, the holders will be back in action at Parkhead against Highland club Buckie Thistle in an exciting Scottish Cup fourth round match.
A fortnight from now, Ross County will be the visitors in the Premiership.
There could be some fascinating comings and goings at the Hoops before that game.
