Henrik Larsson. Affectionately known as the King of Kings, he netted 242 goals for Celtic over 315 games in seven years (I know, I described them all!)
The Swede was the last top-level striker to ply his trade in Scotland. Usually, that's the end of an argument. So when an elite manager like Brendan Rodgers talks about Kyogo being a forward of the highest calibre, you tend to sit up and listen.
He scored his 56th career goal for the Scottish champions during the 3-1 victory over Aberdeen. It was a strike of real quality as the attacker made it two in two league games this season. Rodgers has tweaked his role in the team, and instead of being an out-and-out number nine, he is being utilised as a link-up player and getting used to functioning in a deeper role. For those who thought Kyogo's goal supply would dry up, the 28-year-old ensured that was just wishful thinking.
Not only is he a goalscoring predator but the movement and sharpness of his brain make him almost impossible to defend against. Rodgers knows exactly what he is doing here. Bearing in mind when it comes to top strikers, he has managed some of the best operators in the business, with the likes of Luis Suarez and Jamie Vardy springing to mind.
As the Northern Irishman explained in the aftermath of the win at Pittodrie: "He [Kyogo] is an elite-level striker. I've just tried to give him some variety, especially when teams are man-marking him. So he's always on the last line. He can run in behind - we can see that - but it's just about finding those little spaces in front, creating space for other players. His link-up play is good and in the last line, he is exceptional. His finish was clever, it's cunning. The top strikers, they play offside."
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Of the two goals that Kyogo has scored for Celtic this season, he has taken just three touches. That's what elite-level strikers do. He fired home a first-time effort from 18 yards after being released by Liel Abada on flag day in the 4-2 home win against the Staggies. The goal against Aberdeen was a sensational strike as he took advantage of Nicky Devlin's slack attempted headed-back pass. It was also a difficult skill as the ball seemed to take an age to come down from the air but Kyogo took one touch to control it instantly and in a flash, he banged the ball beyond Kelle Ross in the Aberdeen goal.
The ferocity of the drive took the opposition goalkeeper by surprise as the shot seemed to go through his gasp but that was because Kyogo hit the ball so early. It was a genuine moment of class. There was only one thing on his mind when the ball was dropped out of the air. Scoring. He did just that and then some.
Kyogo has bagged 56 goals in 78 games for Celtic and was a pivotal player in helping the club achieve the world record eighth domestic treble last season after clinching the Premiership title and League Cup in his debut campaign in Scotland.
Larsson is rightfully regarded as one of Celtic’s greatest players. He is the only foreign player to be voted into the greatest-ever XI, having as chosen by the fans. He won eight trophies – including four league titles – and helped Martin O'Neill's side reach the Uefa Cup final in 2003 during his success-laden seven-year career at Celtic.
Comparisons are obvious but can you go as far to say Kyogo is fast approaching Larsson-like status? O'Neill had this to say on the subject earlier in the year: "There are lots of comparisons with Henrik Larsson – I think Kyogo's got a bit to do yet. By comparison with Henrik, he’s been here about 10 minutes but he’s very, very good.
“He has an eye for a goal, can turn in the box, It just seems as if that’s what he wants to do. He’s been excellent, more so because we hadn’t known anything about him Let me put it this way, he’s on the right path. He has a lot to do but even to draw some comparison with Henrik shows you that he’s doing okay.
"I’m sure the manager is delighted with him, as I was with Larsson, who used to pull us out of many a hole. When you have someone like that who you know can conjure a goal from somewhere, that’s a big plus for a manager.”
Kyogo certainly conjured up a goal from nothing against Aberdeen to help Celtic regain the lead just as Barry Robson's men were getting a foothold in the proceedings. That's what elite-level players do. They produce when it matters most, they bail their team out of holes, and they can conjure up magic from nothing.
Go and look at Kyogo's Celtic goals back catalogue. It is full of those kinds of moments and he is nowhere near finished. Will he be remembered as the second-greatest foreign player to grace this country?
Former Rangers striker Rory Loy recently insisted that Kyogo is the best marksman to ply his trade in Scotland since Larsson.
Speaking on BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, Loy said: "I've been banging on about Kyogo, not long into his tenure at Celtic, about how sharp and creative he is. I know myself from being a forward player, that first touch, especially inside the box, he gets his shot away so quickly compared to other players.
"It's wee half seconds and the chance is gone. His first touch is deft, his finishing is of the highest quality. His movement is of the highest quality. I've said previously, I think he could be part of a squad in the top six teams down in England, I do. Whether he could play week in and week out, I don't know.
"He's so intelligent and he's such a good football player. In my opinion, it's the best bit of business Celtic will do this year, tying him down on a long-term deal. I think he is superb and I genuinely think he's the best player to have played in Scotland since Henrik Larsson, I do. That's how good I think he is."
That's fulsome praise for someone who turned out for the rival team. Larsson was a goalscoring phenomenon at Celtic. His stats border on freakery. Having signed a new four-year deal in the summer that ties him to the club until 2027, it remains to be seen what the final goals tally will be when Kyogo finally decides to call it quits at Celtic.
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There are currently 30 players on the exclusive list that have scored 100 goals or more for Celtic. Names such as Jimmy McGrory, Bobby Lennox, Henrik Larsson, Kenny Dalglish, Willie Wallace, Dixie Deans, Jimmy Johnstone, Charlie Nicholas, Bobby Murdoch, Brian McClair, Frank McGarvey, John Hartson, Leigh Griffiths and James Forrest adorn that index.
If Kyogo stays for the duration of his contract, he will likely become the 31st player to chalk up a century of goals for the club. It's probably time to start having a serious chat about Kyogo and Larsson. What is not in question is that both men have contributed to plenty of moments that have brought sheer unbridled joy to fans faithful with their goalscoring exploits in their respective careers.
However, there was and only ever will be one Larsson, still the best foreign import ever to have graced our game. He will always be goalscoring royalty down Glasgow's east end. Kyogo Furihashi will just have to settle for being a Prince of Paradise.
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