Kyogo Furuhashi’s deployment under Brendan Rodgers has left Chris Sutton at a total loss.
Last season, and particularly after the World Cup break the striker hit new levels to deliver the treble with buckets of goals including the decisive ones to win three Glasgow Derbies.
When Ange Postecoglou moved to Spurs and walked into Harry Kane’s slow departure there were genuine feats that Kyogo could be part of the solution for his former manager.
From the first game of the season, a 4-2 home win over Ross County, Celtic fans noticed a slightly different role for last season’s top scorer.
Instead of playing on the shoulder or, often goal side of defenders, of defenders Kyogo was playing deeper which allowed others such as Matt O’Riley and David Turnbull to move into the space vacated by defenders tracking Kyogo.
Without Jota things were going to be different for last season’s top scorer but when Liel Abada and Reo Hatate picked up injuries the supply dropped to a trickle- as did the goal tally.
There aren’t many claims from supporters of Kyogo being off form, the different formation and tactics are to blame.
Against Hibs Kyogo dropped to the bench. His replacement scored two vital goals but there was little to take from the performance which was as flat and uninspiring as most this season.
Reflecting on the decline of Kyogo, in the Daily Record Sutton writes:
He is a difference maker. Heās shown it for two seasons as a big game player.
Kyogoās record against Rangers is phenomenal. Heās a proven match winner who is sharper in movement and brain than anyone else in the Scottish Premiership.
His awareness with the give and go and shot that won the second penalty at Easter Road decided the game. Itās the drop in levels around him which is the problem. Not Kyogo.
Thatās on the slip in standards of his supply line. Ange Postecoglou found a way to supply him Rodgers has not.
We keep hearing the need for speed, yet Celtic have a guy with the sharpest feet and the sharpest mind who hasnāt operated fully due to team who, for most of the season ,have gone through the motions. Itās Brendanās failure if he doesnāt find a way to get the best out of Kyogo.
Celtic have a proven gem whoās on a different wavelength to most around him and itās a failure of the environment. In truth, heās currently too good for this Celtic team.
Iām not saying you build a team around one guy, but you definitely find your best stars and get something that works for him. No one can watch Celtic just now and say that is happening. It defies logic.
After scoring twice against Hibs Adam Idah seems certain to start against St Mirren tomorrow but the other forward positions are very much up for grabs.
Four wingers have started the last two matches and created very little in and around the penalty box.
Luis Palma loves cutting inside onto his right foot, Liel Abada is completely off the boil, Daizen Maeda offers little other than pace and work rate while Nicolas Kuhn tries to make sense of what is going on around him.
During his first spell at Celtic Rodgers tried playing Moussa Dembele and Odsonne Edouard together a couple of times but it doesn’t appear to be a system that he has confidence in.
Kyogo, Idah and AN Other ought to be an option but this season Celtic have started every match playing with one striker- to progress into the last eight of the Scottish Cup may require a change of plan.
CLICK HERE for ground level action from Celtic’s win over Hibs.
CLICK HERE for Kyogo’s Soccerbase profile.
