Celtic: Hoops must ditch Kyogo Furuhashi today

3 minute read 30/10/2022 | 08:15am

In the summer of 2021, Celtic hired Ange Postecoglou as their new manager, taking on the reins at Parkhead.

It was an appointment that raised eyebrows, none less than at talkSPORT where a certain red-faced Alan Brazil couldn’t hide his laughter as he and studio guests struggled to name the Hoops boss.

Well, there are very few who would be able to mispronounce his name or forget about the Celtic manager now.

A league crown and Scottish League Cup triumph fell the Australian’s way in his debut campaign at Paradise, one that will be fondly remembered for the luscious style of play he employed.

But the work done behind the scenes has also been impressive from the Aussie with Postecoglou dipping his toes into the transfer market to bring hidden gems to Scotland.

Arguably his best signing has been that of Kyogo Furuhashi. The Japan international embodies the manager’s style of play, with the busy and energetic striker relentless in his work rate, intelligent in his positioning and often ruthless in front of goal.

He is a nifty and clever forward, one teammate Jota described as “world-class” when referring to his movement.

It’s that element of the 5 foot 7 attacker’s talent that is most notable and unsurprisingly, has attracted admirers south of the border.

Kyogo has hit a stunning tally of 28 goals in 48 outings for the Glaswegian giants but there have been signs in recent weeks that his influence is waning at Celtic Park.

Giorgios Giakoumakis has often played second fiddle, largely due to injury, but the powerful Greek looks better equipped right now to lead the line.

Pivotally, he’s also a man in form with the former VVV-Venlo man netting five goals in October, two of which have come in the last two matches.

Although it was a simple finish in midweek against Shakhtar, Giakoumakis’ strike was something that Kyogo is yet to achieve; a goal in the Champions League.

The attacking brute is a man on a mission at the moment and simply has to be given the nod over his Japanese colleague.

Indeed, he has missed four big chances this month alone and has scored only twice in his last ten appearances. As a consequence, he looks a shadow of the player who bagged a hat-trick versus Dundee United in the earlier stages of the season.

It’s his form in Europe that has been most frustrating with Postecoglou suggesting Celtic had paid the “ultimate price” for their lacklustre finishing against the continent’s best.

Although the Celtic boss has suggested that criticism of Kyogo is “harsh”, something backed up by the fact he ranks in the best 6% of SPFL players for attacking contribution, it is perhaps warranted in more recent weeks with a stint out of the side for the £18k-per-week earner now unfortunately deserving.

There is no doubt that the 27-year-old will still have a large role to play this term but against Livingston, he must be ditched at the expense of the more in-form James Forrest and Giakoumakis.