Celtic manager’s welcome dilemma for Rugby Park

Brendan Rodgers has a welcome dilemma regarding the striker’s position for Sunday’s trip to play Kilmarnock…

 Celtic v Hibernian, Cinch Scottish Premiership, Football, Celtic Park, Photo : Mark Runnacles/Shutterstock

Oh was handed a start last night against Hibs and scored a brace while putting in a solid hour-long shift. The South Korean has now scored five goals this term, while averaging a goal every 79 minutes.

That’s an impressive stat for someone who hasn’t so far been getting too many minutes during games. His overall goal tally at the club since joining in January is 11 in 29 which is a decent return and makes it all the more remarkable he’s deemed not good by a section of our support, although he’s sure to have won over a few doubters last night.

Oh Hyeongyu of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park Stadium on December 06, 2023 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The only person Oh needs to impress is Brendan Rodgers and he must have done that last night. It gives the Irishman much needed food for thought going into the tough clash at Rugby Park on Sunday, where Celtic will be looking to avenge that shock league Cup exit in the early rounds back in August.

Kyogo is a bit off form at the moment can’t buy any luck in front of goal. he could quite easily have scored four or five goals in the last two matches but ended up drawing a blank on both occasions and his personal frustrations were there for all th see last night.

So with Oh in such good form it makes for a bit of a dilemma for the manager, although a welcome one it has to be said. Brendan is paid the big bucks to make these calls and to get them right, as he certainly did last night.

 Kyogo Furuhashi after the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Hibernian  at Celtic Park  on December 06, 2023 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Both Oh and Tomoki Iwata came into the starting eleven and received post match praise from the manager for their excellent contractions to the 4-1 win over Hibs.  Meanwhile Mikey Johnston also started but after having failed to impose himself enough in the game he was given a warning by the manager that he has to do more.

Meanwhile Yang paid the price for his dreadful first half showing by dropping out of the squad last night with Marco Tilio benefiting from this by getting called up.

Since Brendan doesn’t seem to favour two up top, unless the situation in the game calls for it, ie we are chasing a late goal or two, it looks like he’ll need to decide between the two strikers on Sunday. Time will tell, but if it’s Oh that gets the nod no one can have any complaints.

The Korean is the man in possession and had to show patience while he waited his chance. That time is now and Kyogo is going to have to show Rodgers that he’s returned to goalscoring form from the bench.  Expect Kyogo to get half an hour from the bench on Sunday, with Oh deservedly retaining the starting spot at Rugby Park.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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About Author

An ordinary everyday Celtic supporters hailing and still residing in Govan in the shadows of the enemy. I’m a season ticket holder. I Witnessed my first Celtic game in 1988 and have attended when I can ever since. Growing up in the 90s I witnessed Celtic at their lowest, and now appreciate the historic success we enjoy today. I enjoy writing about this wonderful football club and hopefully will continue to do so. I’ve always been a keen writer and initially started this a hobby. My ambition is to one day become as good an author as my fellow Celtic Star colleagues.

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