Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou hails Kyogo Furuhashi after derby double

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou praised Kyogo Furuhashi after his double against Rangers, saying the striker is a born winner.

A hard-fought derby at Celtic Park saw the hosts emerge as 3-2 winners, with Furuhashi scoring twice, James Tavernier netting a dobule for Rangers and Jota scoring what proved to be the winning goal.

It was a second successive double for the Japanese striker against Rangers, following on from the Viaplay Cup final and he made his value to the defending champions clear again.

Postecoglou, who brought Furuhashi to Glasgow from Vissel Kobe for a reported £4.5m, feels he’s had a terrific return from a player who gives “everything” for his team.

“From the moment that guy arrived he’s been outstanding,” the Celtic manager said. “I don’t remember him not giving everything and always in every game he plays he’s a threat to score goals.

“If he doesn’t score a goal, he works so hard for the team. He delivers in the big games.

“You know, I was saying before that there’s not much of him out there, you see that, and he’s up against guys who are, you know, big, strong defenders.

“They do get very physical with him at times, But because of his nature and, you know, the way he is, you know, I think people mistake him but he’s a winner. Make no mistake about it, I’ve seen it first hand and he’s a winner.

“He wants that responsibility. He wants to rise to the occasion. He wants to be the person who delivers. And again, he delivered.”

Postecoglou believed his team showed their winning mentality as they saw off their closest rivals and opened up a 12-point gap at the top of the table.

“It was a typical derby with a bit of everything,” he said. “Credit to both sets of players, they gave their all.

“We controlled it in different areas and always looked a threat going forward when we played through the lines. They were a threat, mainly on set-pieces.

“That gave an edge to the game, but this group of players just find a way all the time.

“It’s unbelievable, the character and self-belief they have in each other to continually get the job done.”

The match was played in front of almost 60,000 Celtic supporters with no away fans in the stadium. Postecoglou revealed that he had impressed upon the players that they had delivered something special for those who cheered his side on.

“I said to them afterwards that if you can make one person’s life a little bit better, the amount of joy that brings you are outstanding,” he explained.

“I said to them they have made countless thousands of lives so much better for the next few days. There is no greater feeling for anyone, particularly the players. I want them to enjoy that because they have earned that.”