Celtic will progress with a striker rotation of Kyogo Furuhashi, Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda this season despite Brendan Rodgers initially earmarking another for the ‘third striker’ role.
After Rocco Vata left Celtic earlier in the summer, the manager explained that the youngster had been offered the chance to play a first-team squad role in Glasgow this season as that third option behind Kyogo and Idah.
With Hyeongyu Oh also exiting the club, many have assumed that Celtic would be on the hunt for another attacking option to provide depth in the striking position.
However, that’s no longer the case with Rodgers admitting that the club’s ‘priorities are elsewhere’ in the final week of the transfer window.
Brendan Rodgers on Celtic strikers
Asked about Maeda’s stellar display as the central striker last week against Hibernian, which resulted in two goals, Rodgers was clear he’s happy with the options he has right now.
Speaking in a media conference, the Bhoys boss said: “It’s going to be really difficult to play him, Kyogo and Adam Idah up front, centre-forward, all at the same time! He actually does play up front a lot of the time here for us, but on the side.
“I think what he showed, and what was really nice to see, was that he can play as a striker. I know there’s probably a cry for more but I see these guys every day. I have seen Daizen in his past play as a striker.
“With the two guys that we have, I’m fairly comfortable that if I needed a third one that I can put him there and he can do the job. He’s really shown that he’ll score goals. He’s different to the other two, but he can still score goals.
“My feeling in the summer was more around a younger player. I wanted the younger player to be someone from within our academy. That didn’t quite work out.
“Yeah, we could go into the market and maybe get a younger one from somewhere but the reality is our priorities are elsewhere. I have to look after that, but knowing that I have Kyogo, Adam and Daizen there as the third one and flipping between playing on the side, and prioritising the other positions – that’s where we’re at, at the moment.”
Mateusz Bugosz could also fulfil Celtic attacking role
In addition to that, Celtic are said to be seriously pursuing attacker Mateusz Bugosz – who has starred for LAFC in MLS this season as a wide and central option, too.
Bugosz excels in attacking midfield, but also on the right flank and even as a centre-forward if needed. So if that £8m move goes through then Rodgers would have another option in a pinch.
The Pole has netted himself 17 goals in 33 appearances throughout 2024 so undoubtedly knows his way to goal.
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