Kyogo Furuhashi is back amongst the goals at Celtic after bagging a double against Ross County.
The Japanese winger was superb after Brendan Rodgers deployed the 29-year-old in a new role after injury problems to Hoops pair Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda forced the Celtic manager’s hand.
Rodgers named Celtic’s starting XI with Kyogo and Adam Idah both starting and it led to fans looking forward to seeing the front two strike up a partnership.
With Celtic sitting 15 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership table before kick-off, Rodgers explains how he was planning to utilise Kyogo to try and extend Celtic’s lead from Rangers.
Brendan Rodgers explains Kyogo Furuhashi’s role in Celtic’s starting lineup vs Ross County
Rodgers told BBC Radio Scotland, “Well, of course, you’ll see when the game takes place, but it’s one where Kyogo actually initially came in here as a winger, that was starting position. But today he won’t.
“He won’t be on the outside all the time, because that’s not the profile of player he is. He’s not a one v one player that goes past people that way. He more links from the inside.
“So we just adapt structurally at certain areas of the field and, of course, I think when you’re playing against a back five as well, the press and role is much higher up the pitch rather than having to track anyone.
“So it’s something I’m really looking forward to seeing, seeing how they adapt. I’ve done it before in my career in making a slight adjustment to the structure but I look forward to seeing them and I have intelligent players who can carry it out.”
What Brendan Rodgers thought of Kyogo Furuhashi’s performance as Celtic battered Ross County
Kyogo bagged a double for the Celtic Park side as they picked up all three points in the Bhoys’ win over Ross County as Rodgers shared what he thought of the Japan international’s performance in the role.
Rodgers said on STV News, “I thought he worked really well. You have to remember he was a winger when he played in Japan, that’s what he was.
“He came into the club as a winger, so he has played there. But his profile is not one-on-one, beating people like some wingers are.
“So it was the case of, with two goalscorers out of the team, trying to bring goalscorers in and find a way to be flexible to allow him to do that.”
Kyogo’s Dingwall double took his goal tally to 10 for the season as the Celtic striker looks to get back to the scoring heights that made him a fan favourite.
At least Rodgers knows that he has options up front in Celtic’s first-team squad for the upcoming fixture against Dundee if the Hoops gaffer’s injury problems continue.
For Kyogo, the confidence boost he will take from this will be huge as the Bhoys’ fixture list lists upcoming Champions League and Scottish Cup fixtures this month.
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