By JOHN MCGARRY

Published: 18:25, 8 January 2026 | Updated: 18:25, 8 January 2026

Kyogo FuruhashiI is leaning towards a sensational Celtic return after spending the past 24 hours weighing up a loan deal proposal from the Parkhead club.

The Japanese striker left Celtic a year ago in a £10million switch to French side Rennes but endured a miserable time in France, falling to score in six appearances.

He moved to Birmingham City in the summer and fared little better in the Midlands, with his only goal coming in a League Cup match.

With Martin O’Neill back in interim charge, Celtic believe a five-month deal for Furuhashi can work for both parties.

The 30-year-old was understood to have initially been reluctant to entertain the prospect of coming back but is thought to now be more open to the move.

With the team six points behind Hearts in the title race, though, Celtic are demanding a quick ‘yes or no’ answer from the player who initially arrived for £4.5m from Vissel Kobe when Ange Postecoglou was in charge in 2021.