Celtic secured their 55th league title and fourth consecutive Scottish Premiership crown with a dominant 5-0 victory over Dundee United last weekend.
The Hoops only needed a point at Tannadice Park to seal their place at the top, but they clinched the title in style with a commanding performance.
It was a significant day for Brendan Rodgers and his team, not only winning the league but also for Ireland international Adam Idah, who made a notable impact off the bench.
The former Norwich City striker netted two goals after replacing the injured Jota, and now aims to secure a regular spot in the starting lineup for the remainder of the season.
Idah has started only 16 of his 31 Premiership appearances this term, showing that he has struggled to secure a permanent place in the squad throughout the campaign.
Despite Kyogo Furuhashi’s January departure, Idah has yet to demonstrate he can be the central figure for Celtic in the number nine role.
Kyogo, who joined from Vissel Kobe in the summer of 2021 under Ange Postecoglou, made an immediate impact at Parkhead, scoring 20 goals and providing five assists in 33 appearances across all competitions.
Standing at 5 foot 7 and not possessing a traditional centre-forward physique, Kyogo compensated with clinical finishing and superb movement.
The Japanese forward, who netted 34 goals in the 2022/23 season, didn’t need to rely on physical dominance to excel; his technical skills allowed him to make a significant impact without engaging in physical battles.
Kyogo left Celtic with an impressive 85 goals and 19 assists in 165 appearances across all competitions, highlighting his effectiveness at the top of the pitch.
| Kyogo’s three full seasons at Celtic | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Premiership | 21/22 | 22/23 | 23/24 |
| Appearances | 20 | 36 | 38 |
| Goals | 12 | 27 | 14 |
| Duels won per game | 1.7 | 1.2 | 1.5 |
| Ground duel success rate | 43% | 44% | 45% |
| Aerial duel success rate | 20% | 13% | 26% |
As seen in the table above, the former Celtic striker consistently faced challenges with the physical aspects of the game throughout his three full Premiership seasons but still managed to consistently find the back of the net.
This demonstrates that his success at Parkhead was built on his movement and technical ability, proving that Celtic may not necessarily need a tall, physical, experienced number nine if they choose to sign one in the summer.
In fact, Celtic could potentially discover their next version of Kyogo by targeting a Premiership player they are reportedly interested in.
According to Chronicle Live, the Hoops are among several clubs monitoring Hearts’ centre-forward James Wilson ahead of the summer transfer window.
The report suggests that Celtic have been keeping an eye on the 18-year-old striker during what has been his breakthrough season with the Jam Tarts, as Rodgers prepares to make a move for the young talent.
However, Celtic will face significant competition for his signature, as Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United, are also reportedly interested in the forward.
Additionally, it is noted that Glasgow rivals Rangers have been scouting Wilson’s performances for Hearts this season. However, Celtic may have an advantage in the race for the teenager, given their recent Premiership title win, which could make them a more attractive option.
Why Celtic should sign James Wilson
Celtic must act swiftly to sign Wilson ahead of Rangers, Newcastle, and other Premier League clubs, as he has the potential to be an exciting addition to their squad.
By bringing in the young striker, Celtic would be securing a player with years of development ahead of him. The Scotland international, who only turned 18 in March, would not face the pressure of needing to make an immediate impact.
Like Kyogo, Wilson has a lean build and doesn’t fit the typical mold of a physical, Scottish centre-forward known for winning aerial duels and holding off defenders under pressure.
Instead, Wilson is a clinical finisher with intelligent movement and clean technique in front of goal, allowing him to make a significant impact in the Premiership.
As shown in the table above, Wilson doesn’t win many duels per game and has been outmuscled by defenders in both ground and aerial challenges throughout his first season of regular league action.
This highlights a similarity to Kyogo in that both players struggle with the physical side of the game, but Wilson’s goal-scoring record demonstrates his skill in possession.
Wilson, who was hailed as “incredible” by Neil Critchley after becoming Scotland’s youngest ever debutant, has scored five goals from 4.77 xG, indicating he has been efficient in front of goal at the top level.
This suggests that he could become a similar presence to Kyogo at Celtic—an effective centre-forward who can provide clinical finishing without relying on physical dominance, using movement and technical ability to make a significant impact.
With his age and potential for improvement, Celtic should be keen to bring Wilson to Parkhead in the upcoming summer transfer window.
