Birmingham Boss Chris Davies Makes Kyogo View Clear Amid Celtic Links

Birmingham City head coach Chris Davies has voiced his support for Celtic-linked striker Kyogo Furuhashi, insisting the Japanese forward is capable of turning his season around and remains part of the club’s plans at St Andrew’s.

The Blues secured a much-needed 3-2 victory over Championship leaders Coventry City on Sunday, bringing an end to a seven-game winless streak.

Despite significant summer investment raising expectations of a promotion push, Birmingham’s campaign has so far been undermined by inconsistent form and disappointing results away from home. Summer signing Kyogo has found life particularly challenging, failing to score in the Championship amid the team’s wider struggles in front of goal.

Kyogo arrived from French side Rennes in a move widely regarded as a major coup for the newly promoted club. However, his time in the Midlands has not unfolded as hoped, and despite public backing from Davies in October, the forward has yet to make a meaningful impact.

Recent speculation has linked the 29-year-old with a loan return to Celtic, who are seeking attacking reinforcements. Davies, though, has dismissed talk of any discussions with the Scottish champions and reaffirmed his belief that Kyogo will fight through his difficulties at Birmingham.

“We’ve had no discussions at the moment about anything other than Kyogo giving his best and doing his best for Birmingham City,” Davies told BBC Sport. “Kyogo is our player and he’s been playing more games recently than he has in the last few months.

“Personally, I think he’ll stay here and battle through whatever comes his way. At this moment in time, he’s an important member of the squad and will continue to be so.”

Kyogo enjoyed a hugely successful spell at Celtic, scoring more than 80 goals in three-and-a-half years and playing a key role in the club’s run of three successive Scottish Premiership titles.

He left Parkhead in January 2025 to join Rennes but departed the French club after just six months due to limited opportunities.

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has since said he would welcome Kyogo back to Celtic Park should a loan move materialise.

Davies has recently highlighted the need for his side to be more clinical in front of goal and confirmed Birmingham will look to address that issue during the January transfer window.

Whether any incoming attacking reinforcements could impact Kyogo’s future this month remains to be seen.