As we continue to look ahead to next weekend’s Glasgow derby, some of the talk surrounding Celtic this week has been regarding a potential return for Kyogo Furuhashi.
Kyogo has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since December. However, he’s recently been spotted doing individual work in training whilst he’s also stated in Japanese media recently that he feels in great condition [Mainichi].
Frank McAvennie, meanwhile, has pushed the idea of bringing him back for the Rangers game next weekend. He stated that Kyogo’s inclusion could “rattle” Rangers come kickoff [Scottish Sun].
However, there are so many reasons as to why keeping Kyogo out of the starting XI is absolutely essential. Yes, you can understand the pros. That he starts the game, shows all of his technical ability and movement to dazzle the Rangers defence and win us the game.
But that’s the dream scenario, and something that would be unlikely to happen. The reason? Kyogo hasn’t played a competitive game of football in what will be over 3 months come next weekend. Are we really certain that throwing him into our most hostile and high-tempo domestic fixture of the season is a good idea?
We’ve already seen what happened earlier this season when we rushed him back too early. It’s vital we integrate him back into the first-team of course. But this needs to be done in stages like any long-term injury. He needs phased in, not thrown in. Another hamstring tear would be absolutely disastrous.
Giorgos Giakoumakis would have every right to be disappointed
Let’s not forget that in Kyogo’s absence, Giorgos Giakoumakis has scored 11 goals and been essential to us turning a 6-point deficit into a 3-point advantage. He offers us something different, and he’s already shown that he can bully that Rangers defensive line as he did back in February’s 3-0 win at Parkhead.
Does it really send out the right message if we don’t reward that kind of form? To hook him for our biggest game of the season given what he’s done for us in 2022 would be harsh. It would make it seem as though players aren’t able to truly fight for their positions.
Kyogo has to work hard to get back into the Celtic team. You could understand the debate if we were in Rangers’ shoes and truly had to win this one to keep our title hopes alive. But that’s not the case. Far from it in fact. Celtic could lose the game next weekend and still be in with a fair chance of winning the championship.
Celtic have 2 huge games against Rangers still to come after next Sunday. We’re due to face them in the Scottish Cup semi-finals at Hampden on April 17th before a final league meeting at Celtic Park. What if Kyogo stars at Ibrox prematurely and picks up an injury that would keep him out for the month of April?
Of course, it’s all hypothetical, but there’s a heightened chance of it if we rush him back. Just like we saw back in December when he had clearly played too much football.
Giakoumakis has every right to feel he’s more than earned his starting spot in Govan next weekend. We need to go with our in-form players. Kyogo’s time will come, but it’s not next weekend. At least not from the start.
In other news, Celtic’s Reo Hatate addresses his Japan situation after being benched last week
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