Kyogo crowned SFWA Player of the Year

THE Scottish Football Writers’ Association have named Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi as their Player of the Year.

Kyogo becomes the second Japanese star - after former Parkhead hero Shunsuke Nakamura - to land the coveted prize and he will be presented with the trophy at the annual dinner on Sunday, May 28.

The forward has enjoyed another incredible campaign as Celtic have moved to within one win of a domestic clean sweep under the guidance of boss Ange Postecoglou.

The 57-year-old has landed the Manager of the Year award this term and the crowning of Kyogo completes a SFWA double for the champions.

Parkhead team-mates Cameron Carter-Vickers and Callum McGregor were also in the running for the prestigious prize as Kevin van Veen, the Motherwell striker, joined the Celtic trio on the shortlist.

Kyogo has netted 33 goals in all competitions for Celtic this season and has once again been an integral part of the side that have lifted the Viaplay Cup and Premiership title ahead of their shot at the Scottish Cup next weekend.

The SFWA prize - one of the most coveted in the game - was won by a Celtic player on seven straight occasions from 2014 to 2020 and Association President Chick Young said: “The voting for our player of the year was very tight.

“Callum McGregor and Van Veen had sensational seasons… but the fact that Kyogo Furuhashi went beyond them underlines how good he has been.

“He is some player. A will of the wisp with an ability to see space where there seems to be none.

“A worthy addition to a list that goes all the way back to Billy McNeill.”