Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has addressed concerns over Kyogo Furuhashi’s recent lack of goals, emphasising that the team’s tactical strategy is not to blame.
Kyogo, who has not scored for Celtic since their 6-0 victory over Aberdeen in November, has had to watch from the bench in recent times, with the manager turning to Oh to lead the line.
Rodgers, responding to criticism about Kyogo’s role in the team, clarified that the Japanese striker’s goal drought is not a result of any tactical changes, as many fans initially thought.
He explained that Kyogo’s natural strength lies in his ability to make penetrating runs and time his movements, rather than dropping back into deeper positions. Despite trying to play to those strengths, the forward is ignoring Rodgers’ instructions.
“We went through his video stuff the other week. We looked primarily at the fact I don’t need him dropping in so much. When you’re playing in a lot of games where teams are sat deep, you don’t get a kick of the ball really unless it comes into the box,” Brendan Rodgers said, quoted by RecordSport.
“So what do you do? You start wandering. His strength is his penetration. That’s his strength, running in behind and timing his runs. You have to make 10 runs maybe to only get in once but that’s your job as a striker.
“So there’s been nothing changed in that. There’s been absolutely nothing different asked of him because his strength is playing off the last line, timing his movements and being instinctive in the box.
“He’s not a dribbler, he’s not someone who does drop in. He can do it but it’s not his strength. And that’s always the challenge for a striker who wants to affect games. But he’s very receptive. He’s not a baby, remember, he’s 28 years of age.”
One thing is clear, though. When Kyogo has played on the shoulder this season, he’s not been given the service to go and hit the back of the net.
It will be interesting to see who Rodgers starts against Feyenoord on Wednesday night.
Kyoko my choice if he gets the service he will provide came on against Kilmarnock git in behind once goalkeepe blocked shot but that was the only time in second half we threatened James forrest should have came on sooner not the bravest of players neither is Johnston who pulled out of a few tackles and if you are pulling out of 50 50 your a liability if all players fit he would not be on bench 24 not promising youngster anymore his times up but forest is stronger and hold ball in sorry but if Rodgers has to rely on those two to fight for you I feel sorry for Rodgers he has to get assurance in writing I don’t trust lawell but all the managers that have worked with him have no complaints maybe the sign a non discloser but need stronger players in mind and body true we were off ut on second half people say bullied we are there to play football not crash into players hoping for the break of the ball 60,000 at Celtic Park cause of football they play rugby park looked empty except for Away end that tells a lot people want to be entertained if the have to sit and watch Kilmarnock on a bouncy plastic pitch they will go somewhere else don’t blame tv blame Kilmarnock board survival rather than entertain no wonder spl find it hard to get sponsors alright Kilmarnock had a good result but 9 times out of 10 Celtic would have won a perfect storm
If only spl changed points 3pionts for win 1point for scoredraw no points for none scoring draw we have to bring live into games parking the bus no matter what you say well organised working hard it’s still park the bus non entretainenment till last 10 mins if they hold out Celtic players are not taking there chances down to them not coaching or tactics at rugby plastic bouncy pitch ho would have scored on grass first pitch played its part second volley high bounce shot over on a grass pitch ball would never bounce that high you just don’t know what ball going to do when coming of that surface yes I blame the surface I know Kilmarnock players done better but there tactic suit punt win second ball were as Celtic play from back pass goes astray on this pitch footing not trusted let the ball bounce Kilmarnock player dustrubts by time ball drops from high bounce midfield facing there on goals underpressure coached to play ball not punt it which proved the way to play on that surface get it into opponents half let them deal with bouncy ball