Ange Postecoglou sings the praises of Celtic’s Japanese star Kyogo Furuhashi

Ange Postecoglou hailed Kyogo Furuhashi’s ‘outstanding’ efficiency after Celtic’s prime scorer put Rangers to the sword within the Viaplay Cup ultimate.

A Hampden hero with two targets towards Hibernian in final season’s ultimate, the Japanese striker repeated the trick with one other brace as a 2-1 win noticed Scotland’s champions retain the trophy.

Furuhashi took his tally for the season to 24 with close-range finishes both aspect of half-time.

Despite Alfredo Morelos pulling one again, Celtic ran out snug winners, lacking a variety of possibilities so as to add to their lead within the ultimate minutes. 

On a day when his talisman had possibilities to attain a uncommon cup ultimate hat-trick, Postecoglou praised Furuhashi’s all-round contribution to a victory which retained the group’s Treble dream.

Furuhashi (inexperienced and white prime) scored twice in Sunday’s Old Firm League Cup ultimate conflict

Furuhashi (proper) was stuffed with jubilation at full-time as his targets helped Celtic declare a well-known victory over their rivals

The Celtic boss stated: ‘It’s not nearly his targets. They are an important factor, however he works so exhausting. He’s one other that, no matter rewards he will get, they’re hard-earned.

‘He’s not floating about simply ready for an opportunity. He’s working his socks off to do issues different strikers received’t do as a result of he is aware of it’s the appropriate factor for the group.

‘Players at this club are often measured by how they perform on the biggest of stages — and he delivers again.

‘You look at him, the size he is and the players he is against, and he doesn’t shirk any of it. He places the opposition underneath stress, he’s so intelligent with motion and he desires to be entrance and centre when the alternatives are there. He was excellent and has been from the second he joined this membership.’

Furuhashi had scored his first Old Firm purpose in 4 makes an attempt within the 2-2 draw at Ibrox final month. By extending his run to 3 in two video games, it meant Michael Beale’s hopes of preserving his unbeaten run as Rangers supervisor successfully ended after the Japanese star’s second purpose within the 56th minute.

‘He has played in two finals for us now and scored four goals,’ added Postecoglou. ‘He’s simply an unbelievable younger man.

‘He’s such a intelligent participant and he desires the large moments.’

Furuhashi instructed Celtic followers there’s nonetheless extra to come back from him after yesterday’s double.

The Japanese star (left) posed together with his Celtic team-mates lifting the League Cup trophy

Celtic boss Postecoglou (lifting trophy) labelled Furuhashi as an ‘unbelievable younger man’

‘I still have a lot of improving to do to become a better player, and contribute to the team, which is the most important thing to me,’ stated the ahead.

‘I just want to smile at the end of the season with the rest of the team.’

He acquired off the mark when Daizen Maeda fresh-aired Greg Taylor’s cross simply earlier than half-time.

Recalling the second which turned the sport in his aspect’s favour, he stated: ‘I thought Daizen was going to score but then the ball came to me, so I thought it was my duty to score! I was happy to score two goals.’