BRENDAN RODGERS praised 80-goal man Kyogo Furuhashi after his barrier-breaking strike had opened the way for Celtic to hammer Hearts 4-1 at Tynecastle last night.
But the hardline Hoops gaffer also admitted his Japanese Bhoy “can be better”.
Kyogo got his reward for some selfless hard work during a first-half where the visitors were are at half-pace and struggled with the high press from Neil Critchley’s fired-up Edinburgh outfit.
ONE…Kyogo Furuhashi sees his left-fot drive blocked by Craig Gordon.
TWO…Kyogo latches onto the rebound to leave the Hearts keeper helpless.
YIPPEE…Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates his 80th goal on his 150th Celtic appearance.
However, five minutes after the turnaround, the lightning-swift raider snapped onto a ricochet in the penalty area, saw his first effort bravely saved by Craig Gordon, but was quick to latch onto the rebound to whip a low drive into the net.
That opportunistic moment was the turning point in a keenly-contested confrontation and Nicolas Kuhn rifled in a breathtaking second while substitute Adam Idah made certain with a double late in the game.
Rodgers, clearly delighted with his side’s win that opened up a three-point gap over Aberdeen at the Premiership pinnacle, told Celtic TV: “Kyogo can score more, his conversion rate can be better, but what’s important is that he gets the opportunities.
“But he’s so much more than goals for me. It’s his all-round game, his pressing, his movement, creating space for other players and him, from the start pressing up there at the top of the team.
“that allows the collective to come in behind him.
“So, this was really all about the collective, the impact of the subs coming in and it was a real team performance.”
FOURMIDABLE CHAMPS GET ALL-CLEAR
