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‘Difference-maker’: Gerry Creaney says Celtic have an ‘impressive’ player Rangers will be wary of at Ibrox

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As the season draws to its exciting climax, the Celtic supporters will be looking forward to the return of the domestic after this international break.

Brendan Rodgers seems to have his team firing in almost all departments at this crucial stage of the title run-in with many of his Celtic players looking like they are getting back to their best after a season where some of our top guns looked really off the pace.

And it’s that return to form that Gerry Creaney believes that Rangers will be very wary of Celtic’s trip to Ibrox next month.

Creaney says Rangers will be ‘looking out’ for Kyogo

No one can deny that Kyogo has struggled to find that sparkling form that crowned him Celtic’s Player of the Season last year but now, Creaney believes that the Japan international could be the ‘difference-maker’ for the fight for the Scottish Premiership.

Creaney said [The Sunday Post print edition page 68], “He could be the difference-maker, but it might not just be through goals. He’s so impressive to watch.

“That turn of speed, that sharpness aligned to what he’s trying to achieve – score goals.

“He’s diminutive but strong. I believe he’s still got players around him with the ability to slip balls through that he’s quick and sharp enough to get on.

“You see different facets and traits coming out of people when they’re under a bit more pressure.

“That’s something, I’m sure, Celtic players will be more than able to stand up to.

“And with Kyogo, there’s no doubt Rangers will be looking out for him as the danger man.”

Kyogo has terrorised Rangers

The Celtic striker took a bit of time to find his groove against our Glasgow rivals but over the past two seasons, Kyogo has absolutely terrorised Rangers.

In eleven appearances against the Ibrox club, the 29-year-old has won six, drawn two and lost three whilst contributing seven goals. [Transfermarkt]

In his first season, Kyogo missed two derbies due to a hamstring injury but it was in the treble-winning season 2022/23 that the Celtic striker put the Ibrox club to the sword.

In the 2-2 New Year derby Kyogo scored a vital late equaliser to fortify Celtic’s position at the top of the league.

In the following clash at Celtic Park, the Bhoys ran out 3-2 victors with a Kyogo double proving crucial in a win that virtually wrapped up the title.

The Japanese also put Rangers to the sword in the League Cup final with another double as Ange Postecoglou successfully defended the first trophy he won as the Celtic manager.

And this season, Kyogo scored the winner in the 1-0 Ibrox win and the 2-1 victory at Celtic Park.

I would say Rangers are going to be a little bit more than wary of Kyogo. I believe they will be fearing him the closer the April derby comes.

Brian Dempsey to speak out on Fergus McCann’s Celtic takeover

Brian Dempsey has joined the cast list at The Celtic Exchange to share his views on the 30th anniversary of Fergus McCann’s takeover of Celtic.

Then in his forties, the Glasgow based property developer had been appointed to the Celtic board in 1990 but when it came to the AGM to ratify his appointment Michael Kelly and Chris White ensured that his place wasn’t confirmed.

As Celtic’s fortunes nose-dived on the park with debt creeping dangerously high others started to look at ways to replace the Kelly and White dynasty that had been in control of Celtic since the early days of the century.

The charismatic Dempsey formed an alliance with McCann, most of the media commentary came from Dempsey who stood on the steps of Celtic Park to declare that the rebels had won.

The alliance between the two men never survived very long, both have different versions of events with Dempsey fairly critical of some of the decisions taken by McCann as he forged a new business model with 51% of the club shares.

During international week the content from The Celtic Exchange has been priceless. A traditional documentary would only have skimmed the surface but with six, so far, hour long interviews most of the main characters have been able to share their stories, recollections and reflections leaving the viewer with a fuller picture of the most turbulent times in Celtic’s history.

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