Kyogo’s Celtic Park celebration told a story as Brendan Rodgers notes how he’s feeling right now

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Kyogo Furuhashi went into Saturday’s Celtic game against Livingston with just one goal in his last 12 matches.

He also hadn’t scored in his last seven games. In contrast to his form of last season and even his goalscoring at the start of the season, it wasn’t like him at all.

Fantastic then that found the back of the net in the 2-0 Scottish Premiership win, finding himself in space in the opposition box to divert Luis Palma’s cross-shot hybrid into the back of the net.

There were none of his usually jubilant celebrations, wheeling away towards the Celtic support, from the Japanese international.

Instead, he looked relieved, congratulated by his teammates and cathartically screaming with fists raised.

It was a sign that he badly needed that goal and that he had been feeling the pressure of not consistently finding the back of the net. After again missing chances in the first half, it was a goal crucial to his confidence heading deeper into the season.

Brendan Rodgers on Kyogo ending Celtic goal drought

His manager Brendan Rodgers noted that in his post-match media duties, too, offering an update that the 28-year-old is still playing through an ongoing shoulder problem.

The Celtic boss was delighted for his striker, saying [The Scotsman]: “You could see relief on his face. He read it well and it was nice for him to get the goal. I think it’s one where there’s probably been frustration when he maybe hasn’t had the ball through or runs behind to allow him to highlight his clever movement. But he’s kept going and persisting. He’s got this shoulder issue but he’s kept working and that’s important.

“He’s just short of where he was last season in goals. Any striker wants to get goals but it’s not just about the striker. A striker can can get 40 goals but it’s no good if other members aren’t contributing. It was nice to get a goal for him and nice to get one from a set-piece. We had more chance to work on that and we need to be much better in that area but we looked a threat.”

Everyone wants to see the best of Kyogo at Celtic. On top form, he’s the most lethal attacker in the country and the team must play to his strengths.

He was notably more connected to the Bhoys midfield and attack throughout today’s match, even if he passed up some decent opportunities in the opening period.

If he is consistently supplied with creative football, he will score goals. Let’s hope this is now the start of a scoring run in green and white.

In other news, Brendan Rodgers teases Reo Hatate Celtic return with Rangers on the horizon.