CHRIS SUTTON branded an inexperienced Celtic side ‘gutsy’ on the night as they grabbed a 3-2 win over Real Betis in the Europa League.
There were wholesale changes by Ange to protect his players from burnout and injury, but when the Australian watched Ajeti go down injured, he had a decision to make.
Put on your only fit striker in a dead rubber, or play a midfielder as an attacker to protect your only fit striker.
Ange gambled in the hope Kyogo would come through the tie unscathed – as it transpired – Kyogo suffered a hamstring injury and had to go off.
People can say hindsight is a wonderful thing, but there were many surprised to see Kyogo coming on so early even though he was the only fit striker.
Ange’s decision looks a bit tougher to take when you realise when the Japanese star did go off injured we managed to score two more goals and we could have scored more.
Sutton praised the team effort but wonders how costly it will be if Kyogo is out for any period of time. Celtic are thin on the ground, they already had Jota out of the cup final, now we might not even have a fit striker.
Speaking to BT Sport live on-air Sutton said: “Gutsy win for Celtic. Brilliant effort and desire.
“Kyogo wasn’t worth the risk though. Huge month ahead.
“The squad is light. The support need to get Ange Postecoglou and the team through the next few weeks until January!”
Fingers crossed Kyogo bounces back quickly.
Large sections of the support will fall silent again on Sunday against Motherwell if the club continues to ignore fans on a pivotal issue surrounding Bernard Higgins. Given our season could hinge on this run between now and the winter break, it’s worrying times.
