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The barometer of Celtic superstardom is often measured by how quickly the fans pen a song or tune to your name.

In the summer of 2021, the club were in a state of flux after having lost the league title to Rangers. A time of change would follow, with many of the support’s recent heroes, such as Scott Brown, Kristoffer Ajer and Odsonne Edouard leaving the club, albeit in staggered circumstances. The latter would arrive at Crystal Palace, along with his iconic chant to the tune of The Stone Roses’ "I Wanna Be Adored". 

Indeed, the Celtic hierarchy and management were looking for new stars to adorn the club. The squad was in a rebuilding stage and needed some invigoration via transfers, especially in the forward areas, which had seen some notable departures thanks to the disappointments of the season prior.

Turn the clocks forward almost two years later and the contributions that two players, in particular, have made to Celtic are almost immeasurable.

This duo comes in the form of Japanese striker Kyogo Furuhashi, a contributor of 29 goals and five assists so far this campaign, and Jota, who has 14 and 11 goals and assists, respectively. Both part of the double-winning side of last season, the pair have been in scintillating form in what is promising to be a very successful campaign domestically.

A lot of discussions were held in the summer and early months of the new season between supporters as to who should be leading the line for Celtic, with Greek striker Giorgos Giakoumakis proving a fan-favourite thanks to his throwback physical style leading the line. Jota’s position was potentially also under threat, with Sead Haksabanovic joining to provide competition in the wide areas.

In the case of both examples, it wasn't really a fight. Even against this excellent competition, Kyogo and Jota came out easily on top. 

The dynamic pair have made a habit of delivering telling contributions in the big moments when it really matters, especially recently against Rangers. Take the recent Scottish Cup semi-final, for example. Jota shows up at the right time in the right place to nod the Hoops in front from close range, scoring the goal that ultimately separated the sides in proceedings. Although Kyogo did not find the back of the net, his constant, darting presence and relentless pressing of the Rangers' backline made him a tricky adversary to deal with at all points for Ben Davies and Connor Goldson.

Jota’s winner, following on from both his and Kyogo’s goal contributions in the previous Glasgow Derby at Parkhead, indicates just how pivotal this pair is to Celtic. Combined, they now have eight goals between them this season in the biggest game Scottish football has to offer. You only need to compare that to Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent’s six goals in 44 appearances to underline just how successful Postecoglou’s recruits have been on the most important of occasions.

READ MORE: Celtic are lording it over Rangers as they look to make history

It must also be stated that Jota has also been able to take this form into the Champions League despite the huge jump in standard it represents. While it was a disappointing European campaign in the main, the winger’s stunning free-kick in the Bernabeu was a high point in a dismal evening against Real Madrid, as was his equaliser against RB Leipzig in Germany. 

With these moments comes adoration from the support, and the fans have certainly gone out of their way to demonstrate their appreciation for both players in the form of song, a tradition held onto for decades prior.

“Jota On The Wing” has been an anthem chanted both home and away this season while Kyogo’s Scooter-inspired “Following Celtic All Over The World” chant gives two recent examples of the fans affectionately anointing their new heroes through the art of music.

This piece is an extract from the latest Celtic Digest newsletter, which is emailed out every weekday evening with a round-up of the day's top stories and exclusive analysis from The Celtic Way team.

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