Celtic will spend the international break at the top of the Scottish Premiership table and have time to reflect ahead of the season run-in.
The Bhoys were imperious last weekend against St Johnstone, dismantling Craig Levein’s outfit with minimal fuss to move a point ahead of Rangers at the summit.
Kyogo Furuhashi looked much like his old self and got the ball rolling just before half-time after latching onto a pinpoint cross from Nicolas Kuhn.
The Japan international turned provider early in the second 45, timing his run superbly before squaring to the onrushing Kuhn, who would’ve found it easier to miss from point-blank range.
Undoubtedly, Celtic were in cruise control at this point; however, James Forrest made a point of putting the game beyond doubt, taking one touch before lashing a powerful left-footed strike past Dimitar Mitov following a switch from Matt O’Riley.
Connor Smith earned a late consolation for the visitors; nevertheless, Brendan Rodgers’ men were deserved winners and can take major encouragement from a convincing showing.
Now, we are into the international break, which will take precedence until next weekend, when the Hoops travel to Livingston on Sunday, 31st March, for the next instalment of their push for a domestic double.
Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi’s role under the microscope
Following his strike last weekend, Furuhashi took his tally to 15 goals and four assists in 40 appearances this campaign, building on his encouraging cameo against Livingston in the Scottish Cup the previous Sunday [Transfermarkt].
Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, pundit Gordon Dalziel has offered Celtic boss Rodgers some advice, indicating the 29-year-old is more productive when ‘on the shoulder’ of the opposition defence instead of in a deeper role.
Dalziel stated: “There’s no doubt for me, he’s a bigger threat when he plays on the shoulder. He’s played in the number ten as well; if Idah was playing, he’d play in the number ten.
“I think it was against St Mirren. He scored as well, so he can do both jobs. I think that maybe sometimes you over analyse it; it might just have been a lack of form, that confidence because you’re a goalscorer, you live and breathe getting your goals, and your confidence comes from that.
“Kyogo may just have been snatching at one or two, but if I’m Brendan Rodgers, I’m saying to Kyogo, ‘Look, the most dangerous you are is in the shoulder. ‘ Defenders don’t like that because he’s timing the runs well, he’s a clever player, he’s pacy, and he can finish.
“He comes off the bench (against Livingston), the confidence kicks back in again, and all of a sudden, he’s up and running. He is a threat; there’s no doubt about that.”
Furuhashi has hit form at a great time for Celtic
On his day, no striker in Scotland comes close to Furuhashi in terms of his movement, finishing, and ability to press from the front, though we haven’t always played to his strengths this season.
Regardless, it does seem like something has changed a little in the last couple of weeks. Celtic have been more productive in the wide areas, which seems to have improved the relationship between our wingers and chosen striker when looking to break down opposition backlines.
Either way, our talisman appears to have found a rhythm, and he now has a real opportunity to kick on and put up some impressive numbers before the campaign draws to a close