What Brendan Rodgers told Kyogo to break through big Celtic barrier

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It’s fair to say Kyogo Furuhashi’s debut campaign in the UEFA Champions League with Celtic was a big disappointment for him.

The Japanese star featured heavily in all six of Celtic’s matches in the tournament last season but failed to score a single goal, also frustratingly missing several gilt-edged chances.

While the team are again struggling to pick up points in this season’s edition of the competition, Kyogo has at least impressed with two excellent goals against Lazio and Atletico Madrid.

He’s proven he can deliver at the elite level, finally. The forward will be the player that Celtic fans place most hope on to find a goal or two in upcoming matches against the Italians and Dutch side Feyenoord.

Brendan Rodgers helps Kyogo’s Celtic progress

Brendan Rodgers has now shared the message he delivered to Kyogo to help him overcome that barrier and help him break the European drought.

The Celtic boss said [The Herald]: “I think it’s about trying not to force it. I told him it will come.

“I said to him, ‘You’re a good player, it will come. But when it comes, you’ve got to take it. And recognise that you’re not going to get as many chances maybe [as you do in the Scottish Premiership], but stay calm when you get there, don’t rush it or force it.’

“It was a great finish against Atletico. He’s had a couple of great finishes now, and that one there, it was a wonderful combination and a perfect weight of pass from Matt O’Riley. But a wonderful finish. And against a back line of five which is really hard to break through, so, really good.”

Kyogo has eight goals in all competitions, from 17 appearances, and he’ll be eager to hit a hot streak of scoring at home and abroad throughout December, despite his recent head injury.

The 28-year-old went four games without scoring before netting against Aberdeen. With that confidence boost and a bit of rest during the international break he should be well-placed to kick on and bring his tally for the campaign well into double-figures by the turn of the year.

In other news, Reaction and verdict as Celtic star Cameron Carter-Vickers makes first USA start in a year.