Kyogo Furuhashi nets first goal since Celtic departure to get off the mark in English football

The Japanese striker left Parkhead after three-and-a-half years in the January window after completing a £10million move to French club Rennes.

The transfer did not work out as planned for Furuhashi who failed to make an impression at the Ligue 1 side after the manager who signed him, Jorge Sampaoli, was sacked just three days after his arrival.

He made only one start and five substitutes appearances for Rennes, totalling 120 minutes on the pitch, and failed to find the net.

It was a far cry from the revered status the 30-year-old enjoyed in Glasgow where his 85 goals in 165 appearances made him a firm favourite among the Celtic supporters.

Furuhashi cut his French nightmare short after just half a season, signing for newly-promoted Championship side Birmingham City this summer on a three-year contract in a deal worth up to £10million, and reuniting with former Celtic team-mate Tomoki Iwata.

He was handed the number nine jersey by his manager Chris Davies, a former Celtic assistant to Brendan Rodgers, and led the line in the league opener against Ipswich last weekend, playing 77 minutes of the 1-1 draw before being replaced.

He retained his starting slot up front for the midweek Carabao Cup tie against Sheffield United on Wednesday at St Andrew's and took only five minutes to open his Blues account on his second appearance.

He may not score an easier goal in English football after Demarai Gray put the ball on a plate for him by pouncing on a short passback from defender Dovydas Sasnauskas, pinching the ball ahead of goalkeeper Adam Davies before cutting it back for the alert Furuhashi to place it into the empty net from a few yards out. The outpouring of relief was evident for Furuhashi as he celebrated with his team-mates.

Birmingham City reacted to his maiden goal for the club by posting on X: "Only two games in but you just know he's going to be a fan favourite."

Furuhashi was substituted in the 57th minute and although Sheffield United went on to equalise through Gustavo Hamer on 72 minutes, a goal three minutes from time from the former Celtic hitman’s replacement, Jay Stansfield, sent Birmingham into round two courtesy of a 2-1 victory.