‘Slow death’ ‘painful to see’ ‘influence absolutely killed’ Sutton can’t believe major Rodgers failing
Soccer Football - Champions League - Group E - Celtic v Atletico Madrid - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - October 25, 2023 Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi with manager Brendan Rodgers after being substituted off Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Chris Sutton is astonished at the way Kyogo Furuhashi is being starved of chances by Brendan Rodgers.
Last season’s multiple Player of Year award winner has become just another striker, one that most defences know how to cope with and keep quiet.
A year ago Jota, Daizen Maeda and Liel Abada were feeding Kyogo chance after chance down the wing, from the centre of the park Reo Hatate and Aaron Mooy knew exactly how to feed the former Vissel Kobe striker.
Those options have virtually been wiped out, Matt O’Riley has provided two priceless assists to win six points from two Glasgow Derbies but other than that it has been meagre rations for Kyogo to feed off.
Against Hibs in midweek the inevitable happened, Kyogo started on the bench but his commitment and bravery won the penalty that decided the match.
Writing in the Daily Record, Sutton shares his thoughts on what happens next with the best striker in Scotland:
Kyogo Furuhashi is having his influence absolutely killed.
There’s a real chance it may lead to the slow death of Celtic’s title bid. Brendan Rodgers has been outspoken about needing quality, yet he can’t find a way to get the best out of the highest-quality striker in the country. Now he’s been left out of the side. If that continues, could it lead to him inevitably looking to leave?
Kyogo has gone from being the most-feared forward in Scotland to barely getting a chance in a game. It’s actually quite remarkable and, for me, it’s not got that much to do with the boy himself.
Now listen, before I go any further, this is no slight on Adam Idah. The Irish striker was given an opportunity against Hibs and he grabbed it with his two goals. Idah might do well for Celtic, but don’t tell me he’s a better striker than Kyogo.
It’s almost painful to see what has happened to the Japanese over the past few months. The guy scored 27 league goals in 31 starts last season. Eight in 21 this season.
Sutton adds:
We keep hearing the need for speed, yet Celtic have a guy with the sharpest feet and the sharpest mind who hasn’t operated fully due to team who, for most of the season ,have gone through the motions. It’s Brendan’s failure if he doesn’t find a way to get the best out of Kyogo.
Celtic have a proven gem who’s on a different wavelength to most around him and it’s a failure of the environment. In truth, he’s currently too good for this Celtic team.
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.
Has Sutton called it right with Rodgers and Kyogo?
With the lack of supply from the wings the logical conclusion would seem to be to play Kyogo alongside Adam Idah in front of four midfields including one option.
Rodgers has only ever started with one striker since e returned to Celtic but with the business end of the season a change of approach is needed if anything is to be won from an underwhelming campaign to date.