CELTIC goal hero Chris Sutton reckons Ange Postecoglou’s luck is so bad that Kyogo Furuhashi and Tom Rogic could return with injuries after World Cup duty – by clashing with each other!
The striker is in line to lead Japan against the playmaker’s Australia’s next week – and trouble could be in store for the Hoops boss.
Kyogo returned with a knee injury following his nation’s 1-0 win over China at the start of last month and the livewire frontman was forced to sit out five games where his influence and threat were sorely missed.
He played 73 minutes in his comeback outing against Bayer Leverkusen before looking sharp as he scored his eighth goal of the campaign in the 2-1 victory over Aberdeen last weekend.
DESPAIR…Kyogo Furuhashi is down and out after sustaining a knee injury in action for Japan.
DELIGHT…Kyogo Furuhashi shares the joy with Liel Abada and Filipe Jota after opening the scoring against Aberdeen last weekend.
Sutton reckons Postecoglou will be on tenterhooks until his players return for training at Lennoxtown ahead of the crucial Premiership encounter against Motherwell at Fir Park a week today.
The one-time England international hitman said: “Kyogo is the one in particular Celtic will be keeping an eye on. The striker played half an hour against Saudi Arabia the other day and he’s up against Rogic’s Australia on Tuesday.
“Knowing Postecoglou’s luck, the pair of them will collide and injure them both.
“It’ll be a nervy few days, but you’ve got to think the ones who have been left behind at Lennoxtown will have put in the hard yards this last week or so to ease the manager’s fears.
“I’ve seen a few people asking this week if Celtic are over-reliant on Kyogo.
WIZARDS OF OZ…Tom Rogic (No.23) and his Australian team-mates line up before the 3-1 win over Oman.
“It’s a fair question and you’ve got to say have been this season. He’s scored eight goals and you could see the difference in the side when he was out injured.
“Celtic needed a signing to really lift the place and he’s been that man.
“But he also needed help. The question is: Where is it coming from?
“Albian Ajeti scored a couple of goals and has shown a few flashes, but he’s not exactly made the most of his chance.
“He took a swipe at Ramon Vega after my old team-mate questioned his selection for Switzerland, but he’s not shown that fiery attitude on the pitch.
“Ramon was right. What is Ajeti? He can stick the ball in the net occasionally, but I don’t see what else he does. He doesn’t hold the ball up, he doesn’t ruffle up defenders or get them turning with his movement.
“He’s been at the club a year and a half now and still doesn’t look a long-term solution.”
SWISS MISS…Albian Ajeti shows his frustration after a howler in the 1-1 draw with Dundee United.
Sutton continued: “We now need to see what Giorgos Giakoumakis is all about. It’s fair to say it’s been an inauspicious start.
“I feel a bit sorry for the Greek striker. He arrived with a big reputation after being top scorer in Holland last season with a team that got relegated.
“But he’s had nothing but bad luck since. He had issues when he landed, but then got himself fit and suffered a setback in the warm-up when he was about to make his debut against Raith Rovers.
“Of course, that’s a worry. He’s not taken part in much of a pre-season and hasn’t played any games. It’s not a great sign breaking down that early.
“It’s now October and he’s yet to start a game.
“This last week at Lennoxtown should be invaluable, though. He needs to get up to speed quickly.
WORRYING TIMES…Ange Postecoglou must wait – and hope.
“The same goes for the likes of James McCarthy, who needs to prove he can be an asset and is worthy of his four-year deal.
“There is no doubt the Celtic squad is still threadbare, but these players need to step up and show they belong at the club.”
Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “Postecoglou is short on numbers, but he still has the quality to compete and it’s not like Rangers have been pulling up trees.
“They’ve ground out a few wins and have had a few breaks and favourable decisions that have gone their way.
“They might improve – but so will Celtic.
“I don’t care what anyone says, it will be down to the big two at the top again. It’s just a case of how much of a challenge can Celtic put up this term.”
