adminKYOGO FURUHASHI ADMITS HIS MISTAKE IN LEAVING CELTIC DURING FRUSTRATED FOUR-MINUTE POST-MATCH INTERVIEW AFTER BIRMINGHAM CITY’S 3-0 LOSS TO COVENTRY CITY
Birmingham City striker Kyogo Furuhashi has admitted that leaving Celtic was a mistake, speaking candidly in a frustrated post-match interview following his side’s 3-0 defeat to Coventry City on Saturday evening. The Japanese forward, who joined Birmingham in the summer, faced the media for just four minutes after a performance that left both fans and players disappointed.
The result marked Birmingham’s third consecutive defeat in the Championship, leaving the club languishing near the bottom half of the table. Furuhashi, who was substituted late in the second half, struggled to make an impact against Coventry’s well-drilled backline. After the game, he stopped briefly in the mixed zone, where his emotional comments quickly caught attention.
A frank admission
Speaking with visible frustration, Furuhashi reflected not only on the match but also on his decision to swap Glasgow for Birmingham.
“I have to be honest,” he said. “Leaving Celtic feels like a mistake. I had everything there the fans, the support, the goals, the trophies. Here, things have been much harder than I expected, and I need to take responsibility for that.”
The 29-year-old forward was a key figure at Celtic, scoring 54 goals in 99 appearances and winning multiple league titles and cups. His departure in the summer shocked many supporters, particularly as he was a fan favourite at Parkhead. While his move to Birmingham was seen as a chance to test himself in English football, his time so far has been challenging.
A difficult evening in Coventry
On the pitch, Birmingham never looked settled. Coventry took the lead inside 15 minutes through a well-placed strike from Callum O’Hare. Despite spells of possession, Birmingham created little, and their defensive lapses allowed the home side to double the advantage before half-time.
Furuhashi had one clear chance in the 38th minute, but his low shot was saved comfortably by the goalkeeper. In the second half, his influence waned, and by the time Coventry sealed the game with a third goal in the 75th minute, Birmingham’s players appeared out of ideas.
Manager Chris Davies was left visibly frustrated on the touchline, while the travelling supporters voiced their displeasure. The boos at full-time were unmistakable, and when Furuhashi appeared for media duties, his words echoed that frustration.
Celtic memories still fresh
What made his interview stand out was the open comparison to his time at Celtic. Rarely do players speak so frankly about their regrets, but Furuhashi did not shy away from addressing the elephant in the room.
“At Celtic, I felt at home,” he admitted. “Every game, every goal, it was special. Here, I need to adapt, but tonight was very tough. Maybe I underestimated how hard this league is, and I have to work harder to help the team.”
His remarks have already sparked strong reactions among Celtic supporters, many of whom still hold the striker in high regard. On social media, fans were quick to point out how much they miss his finishing ability, while others questioned why he left in the first place.
Birmingham’s challenges ahead
For Birmingham City, the defeat raises serious questions about their season objectives. A club that had hoped to push for a top-half finish is instead grappling with inconsistency, defensive weaknesses, and a lack of cutting edge in attack.
Davies defended his striker after the match, insisting that Furuhashi will rediscover his best form.
“Kyogo is a top player,” the manager said. “We know his quality from what he’s achieved before. It’s been a tough start, but he’ll come good. The responsibility is on all of us, not just him.”
Still, the sight of Birmingham’s marquee summer signing admitting regret so early in his Championship spell will raise eyebrows. With the season still young, both player and club must find a way to turn things around quickly.
Birmingham face a crucial home game against Middlesbrough next weekend. Supporters will hope for a stronger response, and much will depend on whether Furuhashi can rediscover the clinical edge that made him one of Celtic’s most lethal forwards.
For now, though, his candid admission has provided an unexpected twist to Birmingham’s season and a reminder of just how special his time in Glasgow was.
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