Kyogo: Celtic Park debut will live with me forever

The Japanese forward scored a hat-trick against Dundee

Author: Andrew MacleanPublished 9th Aug 2021
Last updated 13th Aug 2021

New Celtic forward Kyogo Furuhashi says he loved every minute of his home debut after netting a hat-trick in their emphatic win over Dundee

The Japan international scored three times on Sunday to add to the goal he bagged in Europa League qualifying against Czech side Jablonec.

The 26-year old turned on the style at Celtic Park in front of 24,500 fans at the weekend and says it is a day he will never forget.

The recent arrival from Vissel Kobe told the official Celtic website: "I had a really brilliant day and was a real joy to play my first match at Celtic Park in front of our fans.

"It was my first real experience of our great stadium and it will live with me forever.

"Football is about supporters and about us as players trying to make our fans happy. It is why we play the game and we all enjoyed doing that.

"I would like to thank the fans for supporting me and the rest of the boys so well. Even though the stadium was not quite full yet, there was a phenomenal atmosphere and we could tell that our fans were happy to be back supporting the club.

"I can see why people say it is one of the best stadiums in the world and one of the best atmospheres in football, and I can't wait to feel it again when all our fans are back and the stadium is full.''

The 26-year-old, who had another three good chances to score, added: "It was really for nice for me to score three goals but, more importantly, it was great for the whole team to get such a great result and have such a good performance in our first home match in front of the fans.

"We scored some really good team goals too and we worked well together and played the kind of football I love.

"It seems as if everything has happened so quickly in the past few weeks, but it was just such a good feeling to be out there at Celtic Park. It is an amazing arena to play football in and it was great fun for me.''