FORMER Celtic goal hero Frank McAvennie insists Brendan Rodgers MUST go with Kyogo Furuhashi against Aberdeen at Hampden tomorrow night.
The Hoops boss is hoping to have Adam Idah fit for selection for the intriguing Premier Sports League Cup semi-final encounter after the Republic of Ireland international hirpled out of Fir Park following Sunday’s 3-0 win over Motherwell.
The powerhouse frontman suffered a damaged ankle following a reckless and dangerous lunge from Liam Gordon that saw the defender red-carded following a VAR intervention.
HOOP HOOP HOORAY…Kyogo Furuhashi is congratulated by Nicolas Kuhn after scoring Celtic’s second goal in the 2-2 draw against Aberdeen. His team-mates are about to join in the celebrations.
Even if Idah is fully fit, McAvennie reckons Rodgers has to give the nod to the Japanese raider, despite the fact he has scored only one goal in his last six games, ironically against the Pittodrie club in the 2-2 draw at Parkhead a fortnight ago.
McAvennie said: “You have to go with the wee man. His runs are unbelievable. He is so quick, so intelligent. It’s been a long time since striker’s lived on the shoulder of defenders.
“He’s that man. Defenders hate running towards their own goal and Kyogo makes them do that.
“Naturally, the manager will swap him and Adam Idah around as the season goes on. However, for a game like this, it’s got to be Kyogo.”
McAvennie, two-goal star of the show when Billy McNeill’s side beat Dundee United 2-1 at Hampden to seal the league and Cup centenary double in 1988, also reckons the meeting with rejuventated Dons will be his old club’s Final before the Final.
DERBY DELIGHT…Kyogo Furuhashi sweeps Celtic’s second goal beyond Jack Butland in the 3-0 win at Parkhead in September.
The 64-year-old one-time fans’ favourite, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “Whoever wins tomorrow wins the Cup. That’s what I think.
“I wouldn’t be too sure about Rangers beating Motherwell on Sunday, either.
“Hampden is going to be heaving tomorrow, both sets of fans will be there in numbers and you saw how lively Pittodrie was the other night. It was absolutely bouncing.
“It’s set to be a fantastic game of football. This would have been a great Final. Seeing Aberdeen against Rangers, they have a confidence about them and a never-say-die attitude. They are dangerous.
“It’s magnificent what Jimmy Thelin has done up there. He’s taking after Sir Alex. It reminds me of the Aberdeen side in the 80s. Back then they came to Glasgow and got results. They were on top.”
The Dons have made life difficult for the champions in the past two confrontations – the 3-3 extra-time Scottish Cup semi-final which the Hoops won 6-5 on penalties and the 2-2 league stalemate at Parkhead last month.
CENTENARY HERO…Frank McAvennie jumps for joy after netting Celtic’s Scottish Cup winner against Dundee United in May 1988 to seal the league and Cup double to celebrate the club’s 100th birthday.
McAvennie added: “As a player, when you walk into Parkhead you have to have a big pair just to actually play – whether that’s for Celtic or the opposition.
“To go there as a team and show the confidence Aberdeen did last month was a real statement.
“But playing Celtic at Hampden is a different animal to playing Rangers at Pittodrie.
“I’m sure Celtic will have learned from their last two meetings with Aberdeen and I think they’ll edge it.
“Celtic know they can score against Aberdeen, they were 2-0 up at Parkhead and I’m sure they took the foot off the gas.”
Rodgers’ men know they must be at full throttle on this occasion and, according to McAvennie, Kyogo is the man to lead them to another Hampden silverware showpiece next month.
