Celtic fans felt the fear as soon as Kyogo Furuhashi was sent on to replace Albian Ajeti after the Swiss striker picked up a hamstring injury in the 28th minute of the Europa League tie against Real Betis.
The match was meaningless as Ange Postecoglou confirmed with his team selection which featured 11 changes from the win over Dundee United on Sunday with debuts given to Osaze Urhoghide, Liam Scales and Liam Shaw.
With Giorgos Giakoumakis already unavailable the importance of Kyogo couldn’t be over-estimated but for reasons few fans can work out the Japanese striker was sent onto the pitch for 60 minutes of danger. He lasted 40 of them.
In the 70th minute Kyogo chased a ball back into his own half, as he stretched out to tackle he pulled up, clutching his upper right leg. It is a familiar sight for Celtic fans, it has happened to Jota and James Forrest in the last two matches.
Inevitably Kyogo trooped off, Celtic went on to win the match 3-2 but perhaps at a very heavy cost.
With seven matches to go until the winter break it looks very likely that Ange will be choosing between Mikey Johnston and Liel Abada as striker, injury permitting.
Why play Kyogo?
— Jim McGahan (@mcgahan_jim) December 9, 2021
Ange will need to accept that decision was utter stupidity bringing Kyogo on. Madness
— Darren (@drnjc91) December 9, 2021
manager may have thrown the league away #kyogo
— Tambo Unchained ??????? (@ThomasTambo) December 9, 2021
Was a good win from the fringe players. 500K for the win. But not really caring about any of that to be honest. Kyogo’s injury is a huge worry and that’s the only thing on everyone’s minds. A shocking error from Ange to bring him on. We can only hope it’s not too serious.
— CelticLisboa (@CelticLisboaa) December 9, 2021
Idiocy on Kyogo aside that was an outstanding display.
Welsh And McCarthy exceptional.
Uroghide improved, Shaw impressive.— Shaysda (@shaysda) December 9, 2021
Got to say an excellent win with a mostly second string team, the Kyogo injury is an absolute disaster that everybody seen coming apart from Ange. Osaze Urhoghide phenomenal.
— ??????? Boyle?? (@Boyle_67) December 9, 2021
Great win. Shocking management bringing on Kyogo though.
— J67?? (@joem1967_) December 9, 2021
I wouldve played Johnston at CF and sent kyogo to The stand for the night
— Cmon-the-Hoops (@the_LEGEND1976) December 9, 2021
Kyogo should never of been on
— morgan mcbeth (@morgan___mcbeth) December 9, 2021
Could have put the under 21s and wouldn’t have cared. Don’t understand why Kyogo was playing.
— Anne (@Miss_Scots) December 9, 2021
Total madness from Ange…
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With Jota already out, Kyogo should’ve been nowhere near that squad tonight!
?— G-Mac (@fleagle29) December 9, 2021
Celtic can play without out and out striker just unlucky you can’t wrap players up in cotton wool injuries happen it’s a tackle that he didn’t need to do now we will see Ange’s coaching skills I’m more worried with referees who shame our game
Well said sir, that’s why Ange is manager and they’re not
Well said. Too many managers in the stands…Ange is the best in Scotland. Eddie Howe also looks good. Leave running Celtic to the guys who know……
These so-called Celtic fans are hypocritical and out of order. Their arrogance is astonishing.
Well said Pan ,some of these keyboard warriors think they know better than Ange, isn’t hindsight a wonderful thing ,I can’t believe these cnuts taking a pop at the manager,as if they know better.
One thing for certain, you’ll never hear Ange accepting responsibility for stupid decisions!
He is the reason we are dropping down to the Mickey Mouse Cup.
He has no ability to change things up. We have no fit goalscorer because of his stubbornness.
Oh dear it seems that the faithful through and through brigade are having a field day. Worrying about something that may of may not happen. Let’s wait and see if it “potentially costs us the lot”.
Stupid fckn decision. Now we have no strikers going into the festive period. Could potentially have blown the lot.
When I think of the time it took to find a manager,we had all this wisdom sitting in their armchair.unbelevable