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He’s not hiding- Sutton jumps to the defence of Kyogo

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Chris Sutton has stood up for Kyogo Furuhashi despite the striker being on the worst scoring run of his career.

Two goals in 14 matches can’t be glossed over with the striker, as usual in the spotlight going into the Glasgow Derby.

A year ago there were plenty of suggestions that he couldn’t cut it in the bigger matches but 2023 kicked that theory into touch with Kyogo dominating the fixture.

Six strikes, spread curiously across all six goals at the three city stadiums delivered three trophies for Celtic and ensured that Michael Beale wasn’t around long enough to celebrate a year in charge at Ibrox.

There has also been a change in the Celtic dug-out with fans concerned that the change in style has taken an edge off their most lethal striker.

As well as his Derby day goals Kyogo scored twice in the Champions League, his quality can’t be questioned but the style of play under Rodgers isn’t yielding the same returns.

Sutton has watched the drop off in goals closely, in the Daily Record he explains:

It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to work out that Kyogo is not at the peak of his powers. You only had to look at the one big opportunity he had against Dundee at Dens Park to see that.

There was maybe just a bit of hesitancy, where it was always instinctive with Kyogo and I can go back to the previous Old Firm match at Ibrox and his winning goal to see that.

When Matt O’Riley’s header put him clear, he had plenty of time to take it on and confront Jack Butland. Instead, he instantly smashed a finish. It was a wonderful goal which sums him up at his lethal best.

Two goals in 14 games is not something we have associated with Kyogo since he arrived, but let’s get one thing straight. He’s not hiding. He’s making runs, he’s trying to get in behind, he’s trying to make things happen. It’s just the supply isn’t there on a regular basis.

His type of chances aren’t being created as often and Rodgers will be looking for ways to address that.

The little driving runs made by midfielders into the box beyond defenders to break the lines and pull back for goals aren’t as frequent, although there are signs of a return. Paulo Bernardo scored from one at Dundee and the type of pass Luis Palma played into the Portuguese can also work.

Kyogo is certain to start Saturday’s match as Celtic look to finish the year eight points ahead at the top of the SPFL Premiership table.

In January he’ll be away on international duty at the Asian Cup leaving Rodgers to come up with players and a winning system without the source that delivered most of the 2023 highlights.

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