Forget Odsonne Edouard because Celtic have a brand new hero in the form of Kyogo Furuhashi.
The Hoops recorded an emphatic 6-0 victory on Sunday and in the process, Ange Postecoglou was left revelling in his Japanese gem.
Furuhashi scored a quite brilliant hat-trick but he could still be joined by another attacking recruit at Paradise.
What’s the word?
Edouard’s fate has now surely been sealed. He has been dropped to the bench for the last two games and even if he did score from the spot against Dundee, Furuhashi’s form has shown there’s no need for him anymore.
The Frenchman has been linked with the Premier League but if he does exit, they will need cover in offensive areas.
One man mooted with a switch to Parkhead in the last few weeks is M’Baye Niang. The Rennes forward has spent time in the UK before with Watford but could be set for a move further north this week.
Speaking to This is Futbol, it was a move that Ligue 1 expert Adam White seemed to think would pay off.
“He could be a great signing for Celtic,” White began.
“He’s proven in Ligue 1. He got double figures the season before last when he was first choice and Rennes had a decent season.
“He’d score goals basically in any team, I think to some extent, and given the opportunities. He’s kind of a finisher, holds the ball up nicely and is good in the air. I think he’d be a real handful for Scottish Premiership defences.”
Imagine him and Kyogo
With the ability to play through the middle or out on the flanks, there is a possibility that Furuhashi and Niang could play in the same side together.
If that prospect does become a reality then they have the potential to cause plenty of damage in the SPFL.
Furuhashi has electric pace and has shown remarkably clever movement and game intelligence in his two starts so far.
He occupies clever areas and also seems to know how to get across his marker in order to give himself the best possible chance of scoring.
The Japanese dynamo has relished lining up alongside two direct players in the form of Ryan Christie and Liel Abada who helped to supply his stunning hat-trick against Dundee.
Throw Niang into the equation and he could score even more goals. They may even become a devastating two-prong attack for Postecoglou to utilise.
Niang only found the net on one occasion last term but during his Rennes career, the 26-year-old has scored 30 goals in 92 outings.
That’s an impressive tally for a player who has pace, drive and an aerial ability that could prove pivotal for a smaller player like Furuhashi.
Standing at 6 foot 2, his ability when the ball is off the ground is arguably better than any other forward player in Celtic’s ranks. He won 3.4 aerial duels per game during his final full season for Rennes, a number that usurps every Bhoys striker by some margin last term.
With that in mind, a classic little and large partnership could be established here. It would be an exciting one for supporters too.
They must sign Niang in order to boost their hopes this season.
AND in other news, 121 touches, 104 passes: Ange’s “outstanding” Celtic beast ran the show on Sunday…
