Kyogo Furuhashi’s potential departure from Celtic to Rennes for a £10 million transfer has sent shockwaves through the footballing world, particularly in Glasgow. His exit, if it goes through, would mark the loss of one of Celtic’s most vital players in recent years. Kyogo has consistently been a talisman for Celtic, particularly in the Old Firm matches, where his record stands at an impressive 10 goals in 17 games. His departure would undoubtedly create a significant void for Brendan Rodgers to fill, even though Celtic currently enjoys a strong lead in the Premiership.

The timing of this potential move is surprising, considering Kyogo’s importance to the team. He has been integral to Celtic’s attacking play, and his ability to score crucial goals—such as his performances in the league and Champions League—has made him one of the standout players for Celtic in recent seasons. Losing a player of his caliber midway through the season could be seen as a gamble, but Celtic may believe they can weather the storm, especially with their current position in the league. However, if Kyogo were to leave, it would leave a significant gap in the squad, both in terms of goals and leadership.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Rangers face their own dilemma regarding Cyriel Dessers. While not the central figure Kyogo is at Celtic, Dessers has shown his quality when given the chance. His stunning goal against Manchester United in the Europa League, for example, highlighted his ability to produce moments of brilliance, even if he has not always been a first-choice starter under Philippe Clement. Kris Boyd, a Rangers icon, has been vocal about the potential risks involved in selling Dessers without a solid replacement lined up.

Boyd’s warning to Rangers management is clear: while Dessers may not have been a regular starter recently, his ability to score goals, even from the bench, makes him an asset that should not be sold lightly. Boyd pointed out that Dessers is well on his way to surpassing his tally of 22 goals from last season, and his experience and professionalism cannot be overlooked. In a time of uncertainty with Danilo’s recurring injuries, Boyd argues that letting Dessers go without securing a suitable replacement would leave Rangers exposed in the attacking department. With Hamza Igamane, a promising but untested talent, and Dessers as the only experienced options up front, Boyd believes Rangers would be gambling with their attacking depth if they sold Dessers now.

Boyd also highlights the challenge Rangers would face in replacing Dessers, especially given the club’s limited budget. Finding a player who can match Dessers’ goal-scoring ability, especially in a season where he has often been underused, would be a difficult task. Dessers has proven that he can perform at a high level, as his remarkable strike against Manchester United demonstrated, and Boyd believes it would be nearly impossible to find a like-for-like replacement without spending significant money. However, Rangers’ CEO, Patrick Stewart, has already made it clear that the club is not in a position to spend big on a new striker. This leaves Rangers in a difficult situation: do they hold on to Dessers and risk him becoming frustrated with a lack of regular playing time, or do they sell him and hope they can find a worthy replacement, all while navigating the risk of weakening their attacking options?

In many ways, both Celtic and Rangers are facing high-stakes decisions regarding their key goal scorers. For Celtic, the potential sale of Kyogo Furuhashi could have far-reaching consequences, especially given his recent form and status within the squad. For Rangers, the situation with Cyriel Dessers is slightly different. While Dessers may not have the same talismanic role as Kyogo, his contribution to the team should not be underestimated. Boyd’s concerns are valid: selling Dessers without a suitable replacement could leave Rangers vulnerable, particularly with the limited depth in their attacking options.

Both clubs are navigating the complexities of squad management and transfer decisions. These moves could have significant ramifications not only for their respective title hopes but also for their ability to challenge each other in future Old Firm clashes. How Celtic and Rangers handle these situations will likely be pivotal in determining the course of their seasons, as both clubs continue to chase success domestically and in Europe. The next few days could prove to be crucial in shaping the future of these two clubs, with both sides facing critical decisions on their goal-scoring assets.