Celtic made a bold statement of their intentions with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Rangers in the Glasgow derby on Saturday.
Before the game, there was a lot of attention given to Brendan Rodgers and the impact he has had since his return to Celtic. Despite this, there were those who chose to disparage the talents of Kyogo Furuhashi, one of Scotland’s finest players and goal scorers.
However, Neil Lennon, at the conclusion of the match, swiftly came to the defense of the Celtic pair, expressing his bewilderment at the dismissive comments about Kyogo Furuhashi following his remarkable second-half goal. Similarly, he criticized the unfounded criticism directed at Brendan Rodgers, labeling it as “nonsense.”
Indeed, Kyogo Furuhashi had been enduring a dip in form and was not displaying the same level of performance that had dazzled the Scottish Premiership under Ange Postecoglou. Nonetheless, Lennon emphasized that it was only a matter of time before the player showcased his value once more, reiterating that “class is permanent.”
Addressing the matter, Lennon remarked, “We were discussing him before the game, and he secured the victory at Ibrox. I fail to comprehend why people are writing him off. Yet here he is, delivering yet another winning performance today. These players… they make the difference in the big games. A special player. It doesn’t matter about his form. I told you at the start of the game. Class is permanent, and he has it.”
Regarding Rodgers, Lennon expressed his delight for the manager, acknowledging the unjust criticism he had endured in recent weeks while lauding his impeccable managerial credentials. He emphasized Rodgers’ ability to secure another significant triumph.
While acknowledging the team’s inconsistent performances earlier in the season, Lennon highlighted the recent improvement, particularly evident in the game against Rangers. He suggested that such displays represent the quality and intensity that the fans desire to witness, signaling a potential turning point for the team.
Looking ahead to the upcoming match against St Mirren, Lennon emphasized the importance of carrying forward this momentum, signaling Celtic’s determination to reclaim the title.
