Many Celtic fans were left surprised on Sunday afternoon when both Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah were named in the lineup to face St.Mirren. Brendan Rodgers doesn’t usually play two strikers from the start, but he did in Paisley.
The little Japanese hitman started just off the imposing Idah. His form hasn’t been of his usual standard this season with Kyogo only scoring 11 in all competitions heading into the game against the high-flying Buddies.
He managed, however, to add one to this tally 15 minutes in. Luis Palma cut back for the 29-year-old who arrived at a pocket of space on the edge of the Saints’ area. It was Kyogo’s first goal since the match against Buckie Thistle last month.
Partnering up with Idah, Kyogo did look more involved in the game than in recent weeks. Rodgers playing two up front has seen him do arguably the best he has this season, and the gaffer believes it is only benefitting him: “The times when they got it in between the lines he then sped up the game for us and did very well”, he said (The Celtic Way).
“We know what he can do when he is playing through the middle.
“Sometimes, against teams that are low, he is maybe not involved as much so this gives him a chance to connect the game for us. It’s an option and one we can use again.”
It seems as though the manager is still trying to find the ideal way in which to get the best out of Kyogo. Previously under Ange Postecoglou, he excelled as a lone number nine but Rodgers’ play style is different and suits a striker like Idah more.
This switch to playing Kyogo just off the Irishman does have its benefits and particularly in a recent few games where it has been put into play for the closing stages, it has looked effective.
