Chris Sutton fears the Japanese striker could look elsewhere in the summer amid a frustrating campaign
Chris Sutton reckons Brendan Rodgers is to blame for Kyogo’s dramatic collapse of form. And the Celtic boss has been told he must find a quick fix or risk losing the striker in the summer.
Japanese sensation Kyogo has lit up Scottish football since arriving from Japan in 2021 and starred under Ange Postecoglou, winning successive League Cup finals on his own and firing Celts to Treble glory. However, the little forward has lost his spark this season with fingers being pointed at the lack of service being provided by the Hoops’ wide men.
Kyogo was dropped for Wednesday’s visit to Easter Road but made the difference from the bench by winning a last-gasp penalty which Adam Idah converted to secure a priceless three points. But with just eight league goals to his name, Sutton fears Celtic’s title bid could fizzle out if Rodgers fails to get last season’s top Premiership scorer back to his best.
He told the Daily Record: “Kyogo Furuhashi is having his influence absolutely killed. And 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 Kyogo has been left out of the side. If that continues, could it lead to him inevitably looking to leave? The Japanese star 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 before I go any further, this is no slight on Adam Idah. The Irish striker was given an opportunity against Hibs and 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 him over the past few months. The guy scored 27 league goals in 31 starts last season. Eight in 21 this season. He is a difference maker. He has shown it for two seasons as a big-game player.
“Kyogo’s record against Rangers is phenomenal. He’s a proven match winner who is sharper in movement and brain than anyone else in the Premiership. His awareness with the give and go and shot that won the second penalty at Easter Road decided the game. It’s the drop in levels around him which is the problem. Not Kyogo.
“Ange Postecoglou found a way to supply him, Rodgers has not. 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 a 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 find your best stars and get something that works for them. No one can watch Celtic just now and say that is happening.
“It defies logic. Think back to the amount of goals Kyogo scored under Postecoglou when one of Celtic’s wide men raced away on the flank, squared a ball across the box and the livewire was there to knock it into the net.
“It’s so rare now. I watched Celtic at Aberdeen and cannot think of a single opportunity that was created for him. That was symptomatic of what has happened the last few months. The wide players are nowhere near the standard needed.”
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