Andy Walker enthused about Filipe Jota and Kyogo Furuhashi on Sky Sports News (19/10, 16:41) after their connection to put Celtic ahead against Ferencvaros in the Europa League.
Ange Postecoglou welcomed the Hungarian outfit to Parkhead on Tuesday afternoon for their latest group stage tie. Celtic needed a win over the Budapest natives, after losing their opening two games to Real Betis and Bayer Leverkusen.
Only the Green Eagles had also failed to take any points from their opening two fixtures of the 2021/22 edition. Jota and Furuhashi sought to extend Ferencvaros’ poor run when they dramatically combined in the 57th-minute to break the deadlock and put Celtic ahead.
Jota carried play out from the back as Celtic hit Ferencvaros on the break and picked Furuhashi out from range. The Benfica loanee lifted the ball over the visitors’ backline to find the Bhoys £4.5m summer signing from Vissel Kobe on the edge of Denes Dibusz’s area.
Furuhashi shrugged off Samy Mmaee’s challenge to drill the ball low into the net and hand Celtic the lead. David Turnbull would later double the Hoops’ advantage and seal the win. But Furuhashi and Jota’s connection thrilled Celtic hero Walker, with both earning praise.
“I’ve got to say, the pass from Jota: absolutely magnificent,” Walker enthused. “The first touch from Kyogo, just allows him to size up the situation. The goalkeeper wasn’t really in a good position because it was such a long ball. But the calmness and the composure of the finish. It’s a side-foot finish just through a gap to the goalkeeper’s left-hand side.”
Celtic unearthed two gems in Furuhashi and Jota
Celtic seem to have unearthed two gems in the summer transfer window in Furuhashi and Jota. No wonder the Hoops hierarchy already want to turn Jota’s loan from Benfica into a permanent deal, per Sky Sports.
The 22-year-old has scored three times and now provided four assists in nine games for the Bhoys. He has also started each of his appearances in green-and-white so far, and does not look like losing his place.
Furuhashi, meanwhile, has offered Postecoglou a mobile machine in his first Celtic attack. Thrilling with his dynamic movement and an eye for the net, to now boast nine goals in 13 games. He has also provided one assist over his outings across all competitions.
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