Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has insisted he has been happy with the contributions of Kyogo Furuhashi, as he put a frustrating run in front of goal to an end last night.
After making an incredible goalscoring start to the season, producing six goals in the first five games, the Celtic forward then went on a somewhat disappointing run by his standards.
Before last night’s trip to Motherwell, Kyogo has produced just one goal in nine games across all competitions since the beginning of September.
It is fair to say that the Celtic striker has had his fair share of opportunities in some games, with Ange Postecoglou’s side rueing missed chances in recent weeks.
As the Bhoys travelled to Fir Park on Wednesday evening, it looked like it was going to be another unlucky night for Kyogo in front of goal.
The Japanese international had two first-half opportunities in the box fall his way, missing the target with the first, and Well shot-stopper Liam Kelly produced a strong stop.
Kyogo also tried his luck from range and was extremely unfortunate not to see his effort hit the back of the net as it came off the underside of the crossbar.
However, with 15 minutes from time, the Celtic striker got the goal he had been waiting for. For all his impressive movement to open up opportunities, the 27-year-old was provided with an open net to tap home into after Liel Abada’s effort struck the post.
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou responded to the question of Kyogo’s misfortune in front of goal by stating that even without his goalscoring ability, he was still pleased with his forwards all-round play.
The ex-Socceroos boss joked that, like all strikers, Kyogo would have been extremely disappointed at not scoring for several games. But now he will be delighted to be off the mark once again.
He said [Sun Sport]: “He’s like all strikers. They go a couple of games without scoring, and the world collapses in on them.
“You are trying to tell them they haven’t lost any of the ability they have, and I’ve still been pleased with his general play.
“He’s been getting in those areas, and it’s just a matter of him, like any striker, believing in what we are doing, keep hitting those areas, and the goal will come.
“I’m sure he’s happy. He was a bit unlucky. He had a great shot in the first half, and he hit the post last weekend. Those are the fine margins for strikers.
“Probably earlier in the year, they both would have gone in, but the key for me is that I’m still pleased with the way he is playing.
“He is contributing, he’s causing problems for the opposition. I’m pleased for him to get the goal, but it doesn’t change my assessment on how he’s been playing. He’s still been a contributor.”
Ange’s Kyogo assessment is spot on; forward brings plenty to Celtic side even without his goals.
In the past, it was commonly regarded that the striker of any team is the person who should be producing in front of goal. And that is no different at Celtic.
With the number of chances Ange Postecoglou’s side creates, there is an expectation that either Kyogo or Giorgos Giakoumakis should be producing plenty of goals.
However, the role is much more complicated than that in this day and age, and the Celtic boss expects a lot from his strikers, away from their goalscoring abilities.
Kyogo Furuhashi is the perfect example of that. The Celtic forward fashions opportunities for his teammates with his impressive movement and play on the ball.
So, although he might have struggled a little in recent times in front of goal, Postecoglou is absolutely spot on to praise his other contributions.
He has just been missing that final touch in recent weeks, which he should hopefully have back now after a confidence booster against Motherwell.
For all Kyogo’s disappointment in front of goal, the former Vissel Kobe man is still Celtic’s joint top scorer for the season, which just goes to show the standards he is held in.
Either way, it was great to see the striker back on the scoresheet last night and celebrating another brilliant victory with the travelling support.
In other news, Celtic draw Kilmarnock in the cup as Ange Postecoglou reacts to another Hampden trip.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
