Chris Sutton is shocked at how Brendan Rodgers is depriving Kyogo Furuhashi of opportunities.
The multiple Player of the Year winner from the previous season is suddenly just another striker, someone most defences can deal with and ignore.
Reo Hatate and Aaron Mooy knew just how to feed the former Vissel Kobe striker from the centre of the park, while Jota, Daizen Maeda, and Liel Abada were feeding Kyogo chance after chance down the wing a year ago.
Those choices have all but vanished. Matt O’Riley has given two invaluable assists to gain six points from two Glasgow Derbybies, but aside from that, Kyogo has had very little to eat.
The inevitable came midweek against Hibs; Kyogo started on the bench but his daring and dedication won the penalty that won the game.
Sutton writes for the Daily Record on his expectations for the future of Scotland’s top scorer.
There’s a good likelihood that it will cause Celtic’s title campaign to deteriorate gradually. Despite his public declaration that he needs quality, Brendan Rodgers is unable to extract the maximum performance from the finest striker in the nation. He is no longer included in the side. Could that eventually lead to him looking to leave if that keeps up?
From being the most feared forward in Scotland, Kyogo is now hardly given any opportunities to play. It’s really pretty amazing, and in my opinion, the boy isn’t really the main factor.
Now hear me out: this is in no way a criticism on Adam Idah. Against Hibs, the Irish striker was handed a chance, and he seized it with
Seeing what has occurred to the Japanese people in recent months is nearly unbearable. Last season, the player made 31 starts and scored 27 goals in the league. 21 in 8 this season.
Although speed is always mentioned, Celtic has a player with the sharpest feet and intelligence, but he hasn’t played to his full potential because the squad has spent the majority of the season playing passably. If Brendan is unable to bring out the best in Kyogo, then it is his fault.
It’s the environment’s fault; Celtic have a proven diamond who thinks and acts differently than those around him. He’s actually too excellent for this Celtic team right now.
Not that you form a team around
The obvious choice, given the deficiency of options from the wings, would be to start Adam Idah and Kyogo together in front of four midfielders, one of which is Kyogo.
Since coming back to Celtic, Rodgers has only ever started with one striker, but as the season draws to a close, a new strategy will be required if anything is to be accomplished from an unimpressive first year.
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