Brendan Rodgers addresses Kyogo surgery option and current Celtic status after Sunday absence

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Kyogo Furuhashi is set to be assessed early this week after missing Sunday’s Celtic match at home to Hibernian.

The striker’s shoulder popped out at Easter Road last weekend, a reoccurrence of a regular problem that has troubled the Japanese star for years.

Brendan Rodgers has suggested the issue isn’t serious enough to keep him out for a long period but the Celtic manager didn’t want to take a risk with other options available for the Scottish League Cup clash.

The Bhoys came through the tie unscathed and Kyogo’s replacement, Daizen Maeda, netted a crucial double. So it’s fair to say Rodgers’ call paid off.

However, it will continue to be an ongoing issue for the player and club for as long as he decides to put off surgery.

Brendan Rodgers on Kyogo’s shoulder issue

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland pre-match, Rodgers said when asked about his absence: “It’s clearly the shoulder that he got injured last weekend so he doesn’t feel 100 per cent whereas normally he feels ready to go again.

“This is a problem he has had or managed from back in Japan, so it’s something we didn’t need to take the risk with this weekend. He’s been fantastic throughout pre-season.

“For this one here, especially having Adam Idah back – who is not quite there in terms of fitness or where we want him to be – but he’s an option and that allows us to recover Kyogo.”

Kyogo issue can be fixed for good with surgery

Asked if the problem can be fixed permanently, the Celtic boss continued: “It can be if he has an operation. But that will be down to him. He clearly hasn’t wanted that for a number of years. He’s managed it really well but today we don’t need to take any risks we don’t have to.”

In a separate interview with Premier Sports, Rodgers confirmed Kyogo will be looked at this week at Lennoxtwn to determine his readiness for next week’s game away to St Mirren.

Ideally, the player would have undergone a procedure during the off-season but there’s a reason it hasn’t happened and that doesn’t have to be made public.

We know that Kyogo goes through this and he can overcome it to produce consistent form so everyone will be hoping he can shake it off again and return with another Bhoys resurgence.