Before Saturday’s 2-0 win over Livingston, Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi hadn’t netted since the 12th of November against Aberdeen. His return to the scoresheet was a relief for many versus the Lions.
His teammate Daizen Maeda, however, thinks his compatriot’s goal drought wasn’t any fault of his own: “It is not just Kyogo’s fault not being able to score the goals”, he said (Glasgow Times). “It is just that overall somehow the team was not working well. I am coming into the games and I can probably give the pace, as I said before.”
There wasn’t much link-up play between Kyogo and Maeda on show yesterday, but when the duo combine, they are a dangerous force.
The winger is hoping his return to fitness can help his striking teammate get among the goals: “His strongest point is to be available from the blind side of centre-backs. That’s where his quickness and agility comes in”, he said (Glasgow Times). “So if I provide him with the pace then he can beat defenders more quickly than he has without me playing. Hopefully, I can play and be an asset to him.”
Currently sixth in the Scottish Premiership scoring charts, Kyogo will have aspirations to climb his way up the rankings in the coming weeks. His drought was exasperating, but with Maeda back in the team and the champions having some key fixtures upcoming, it will be hoped he can consistently get on the scoresheet.
Not just for his sake, but for the team’s sake too, Celtic need Kyogo’s goals. Consistency of results must be kept over the next few fixtures, and the Japanese centre-forward’s goals could be central to such a happening.
