I’m 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.
More importantly Celtic are away at Aberdeen on February 4 then at Hibs three days later, barring injury Kyogo will be available for both matches.
All around him 60,000 fans celebrated but almost in a world of his own Kyogo took in the feelings of a job well done, the first half rations were turned into a feast with one piece of brilliance that couldn’t be matched by anyone else on the pitch.
Matt O’Riley spotted the run after Leon Balogun had been dragged out of position. Kyogo took one touch to create the slightest of openings then quickly curled a perfectly placed shot beyond the dive of Jack Butland.
Without wingers hitting the by-line the supply to Kyogo Furuhashi has virtually dried up, against Livi he redirected a shot from Palma into the net to end a nine match run without scoring. His reaction to seeing the ball hit the net appeared to be more of relief than joy.
You don’t build a team around one player but management involves getting the most from your resources. Providing chances for Kyogo should be more of a priority than adapting others into sync with Palma or Yang.
Kyogo is still a brilliant, incisive, instinctive and clinical striker but it seems that the possession based game installed by Brendan Rodgers has left him neutered. His Champions League record this season is outstanding.
Rather than award Celtic an indirect free-kick Beaton gave a foul against Kyogo and booked the Celtic striker for his attempt to keep the match flowing.
That move and the execution set the tone for what was to come. Celtic played some exquisite football that their hosts had no answer to.
After playing a few minutes with 10 men Kyogo returned, headed Celtic’s second goal then set up the third before being substituted in the 69th minute by Oh.