It had been reported this week that Celtic were in talks with Birmingham City over a deal to bring Kyogo Furuhashi back to Parkhead for a second spell.
However, Hoops boss Martin O’Neill has poured water over that link, stating that it is “unlikely” that the Japan international will return to the club in the January transfer window.
Celtic sold Kyogo to Rennes for £10m in January 2025, after an incredibly successful spell in Scotland, and it appears as though he now wants to make a name for himself in England with Birmingham, rather than return to Glasgow.
The Japanese striker, as shown in the graphic above, scored 85 goals during his time at Parkhead, but he has only scored one goal in 25 matches for Birmingham this season, per Sofascore.
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Whilst a reunion with Kyogo does not appear to be on the cards for the Hoops this month, the club are reportedly keen on a striker who would be an even better signing for O’Neill’s side.
According to Football Insider, Celtic are one of the clubs showing an interest in signing Hibernian centre-forward Kieron Bowie in the January transfer window.
The report claims that the Hoops and Rangers have both registered an interest in the Scotland international, as they look to bolster their respective attacking units.
It adds, though, that there are teams in the English Championship, Italy, and Belgium who are also keen on signing the Scottish marksman, which means that it will not be an easy deal to complete.
Football Insider does not reveal whether or not Celtic are prepared to lodge an official bid for the striker, who is reportedly valued at around £6.5m by Hibernian.
Why Bowie would be a better Celtic signing than Kyogo
Kyogo would have been an exciting signing for Celtic because of his history at the club, with 85 goals in 165 matches, but his form for Birmingham this season suggests that he may not be able to hit the ground running.
The Japan international also turns 31 later this month. This means that the forward may only have been a short-term fix for the Hoops, rather than their long-term solution up front.
Bowie, however, only turned 23 last September. The Hibernian centre-forward is a young talent who has room to grow and improve, which means that he could be a signing for the here and now, as well as for the future.
His form in the Scottish Premiership this season also suggests that he would be a better addition than Kyogo in the short-term, as well as in the long term because of their respective age profiles.
The 23-year-old star has scored seven goals from 5.38 xG in the Premiership, per FotMob, after a return of six goals from 3.43 xG in the division in the 2024/25 campaign, which shows that he is an effective and efficient finisher in the Scottish top-flight.
|
25/26 season |
Kyogo (Championship) |
Bowie (SPL) |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
23 |
20 |
|
xG |
4.91 |
5.38 |
|
Shots on target |
8 |
19 |
|
Goals |
0 |
7 |
|
xA |
0.06 |
2.32 |
|
Assists |
0 |
3 |
|
Stats via FotMob |
||
As you can see in the table above, Bowie’s league form this season is significantly more impressive than Kyogo’s dismal performances for Birmingham in the Championship.
They are also more impressive than what the Japanese star produced in his last season with the Hoops, as the striker scored ten goals from 13.62 xG in the 2024/25 Premiership season, per FotMob.
Bowie appears to be the more clinical finisher out of the pair at this moment in time, based on their respective performances in the last 18 months or so, and that is why he could be a better signing for now, as well as for the future.
Celtic are in desperate need of a clinical finisher in their squad because Johnny Kenny has only scored four goals from 6.70 xG in the Premiership, per FotMob, which shows that he has been far too wasteful in front of goal.
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Signing Bowie, who has proven himself to be an efficient Premiership finisher, could provide O’Neill with the ruthless striker that he needs at the top end of the pitch.
