BRENDAN RODGERS has a massive decision to make as he prepares his squad for the Champions League encounter against Borussia Dortmund in Germany on Tuesday night.
The Celtic boss is planning to build on the team’s matchday one success when the Hoops thrashed Slovan Bratislava 5-1 at Parkhead 10 days ago.
Kyogo Furuhashi tucked away the crucial second goal shortly after the turnaround to open the floodgates during a memorable second period when the Slovaks were blown away.
Adam Idah, who replaced the Japanese ace in the 77th minute, pounced to stroke in No.5 to bring down the curtain on a pulverising performance from the hosts.
THE THINKER…Brendan Rodgers has a lot to ponder.
Now Rodgers has a choice to make: Kyogo or Idah against the Bundesliga giants?
Former Hoops goalscoring great Chris Sutton has examined the manager’s predicament before having his say.
The one-time England international forward said: “In the eyes of many, it’s a clear-cut choice with Kyogo the obvious starting pick.
“However, I’m not sure it’s that simple. And I’ll be fascinated to observe how Brendan Rodgers sees it.
“Kyogo is a class act and I’m a huge fan. He delivers in big games. But the Celtic manager signed Idah to give him an alternative option in terms of style and I’m intrigued over how the frontmen will be utilised in the Signal Iduna Park.
“But Kyogo got it right the third time and, with goals against Lazio and Atletico Madrid last season, he’s shown himself capable at the level.
“Interestingly, all of these goals have been on home soil and I just wonder if Idah is coming under serious consideration to start away from home.
A TOUCH OF CLASS…Kyogo Furuhashi glides Celtic’s second goal beyond Jack Butland in the champions’ 3-0 derby victory at Parkhead.
“For all of Kyogo’s class, he struggled at times to get into the Euro away games last season. It was the same under Ange Postecoglou when he first tasted the Champions League and there were occasions when he looked a little bit isolated and out of the game.”
Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “If Celtic play it out from the back, work their way around the Germans and get it moving at pace, Kyogo could be absolutely lethal.
“Rodgers’ team are set up brilliantly to play on the counter in Europe with the speed of the striker and also the wide boys, Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda.
“You look at the offside goal which Celtic scored against Rangers earlier in the season. Passing through the squeeze, Kuhn and Kyogo were gone with one ball from the middle of the park expertly delivered by Callum McGregor.
“If Rodgers sees that scenario playing out in Dortmund, I’d be pretty sure that he’d start with the Japanese.
“But the manager has shown in the past he isn’t afraid to mix up the method. I think back to Kilmarnock at the end of last season when he opted to put Idah into the starting line-up for the game that clinched the title.
“Celtic were able to change it up. To my eye, with Idah up top, they played over the home press at times, straight into the Irishman and exploded into life from there. It worked an absolute treat.
“I’d say Idah is a better bet if the manager feels Dortmund could have sustained periods and, incidentally, there’s nothing wrong with train of thought.”
PICK IT OUT…Adam Idah strokes in the final goal in Celtic’s 5-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava.
The former Hoops fans’ favourite added: “In addition, Idah isn’t just some big lump. He can move and has link-up play.
“I’d say Kyogo is probably cleaner in his work when it comes to that specific aspect of playing the position.
“But Idah can do it and I always felt that, when Celtic were struggling to get out in games under Postecoglou in away Euro games with Kyogo, Giorgos Giakoumakis was a useful and strong alternative.
“I don’t believe today’s selection when Celtic face St Johnstone will offer Dortmund clues because Rodgers will go with his best line-up for the Perth task in hand.
“He’ll do just the same thing in Germany.
“And I’ll be fascinated to see whether it’s Kyogo or Idah whom he sees as the best fit for the job.”
*DON’T miss the unbeatable match report and best action images from St Johnstone v Celtic this evening – only in your champion CQN.
