BBC pundit says Brendan Rodgers is keeping Celtic duo ‘on their toes’ ahead of Rangers clash

Add as preferred source on Google

It’s the big one for Celtic this week.

Brendan Rodgers will be as prepared as ever ahead of Celtic’s trip to Rangers for a Glasgow derby that could see the champions go 17 points clear at the top of the table.

The festive period has forced Rodgers to rotate his XI for injury, illness and freshness purposes, and there are some big calls to be made for Ibrox on Thursday afternoon.

Your obvious names will start, from the skipper Callum McGregor to returning right-back, Alistair Johnston, but other areas of the pitch are up for debate.

Celtic beat Motherwell 4-0 on Boxing Day and Adam Idah started up top, whilst Kyogo Furuhashi came into the XI for the three points against bottom-of-the-table, St Johnstone on Sunday.

But who will be the one leading the line for Celtic against Rangers?

Pat Bonner says Brendan Rodgers keeping Adam Idah and Kyogo Furuhashi ‘on their toes’

Kyogo is the Glasgow derby king and perhaps his record, and the fact that he netted a brace against St Johnstone, might keep him in the XI.

But then again, Celtic look far better away from home when Idah is up top simply because of his ability to hold it up better than his counterpart and wanting more touches of the ball.

Either way, Pat Bonner feels Rodgers is keeping the duo ‘on their toes’ ahead of the Glasgow derby, as he told BBC Radio Scotland.

“No matter what player comes in now, they can do a job,” said Bonner regarding rotation from Rodgers. “The fans will be happy to see Alistair Johnston back in after that little injury he had and then can go up against Rangers in that partnership with Kuhn.

“He is also keeping Kyogo and Adam Idah on their toes. Both playing. Starting the game and one coming off the bench, and so on.”

Kyogo v Idah stats for Celtic this season

Let’s be honest, Kyogo isn’t firing like he used to, whilst Idah probably hasn’t earned the regular starts to really showcase his true worth.

Plus, Rodgers has kept them together out on the pitch during matches, but never started them together and don’t expect that to change this week.

Whilst Kyogo edges Idah, in terms of goals this season, the Japan star has played more minutes than his teammate, as you can see below.

Competition		Apps	Goals	Assists	Minutes
	Premiership	17	8	3	1.053′
	UEFA Champions League	6	1	–	393′
	League Cup	2	1	–	145′
Total 24/25:		25	10	3	1.591′

Competition		Apps	Goals	Assists	Minutes
	Premiership	15	5	1	580′
	UEFA Champions League	6	1	–	147′
	League Cup	4	2	–	185′
Total 24/25:		26	8	1	912′