Brendan Rodgers has used the situation that Leigh Griffiths found himself in during the manager’s first season at Celtic in season 2016-17 to send a warning to Kyogo that at a club like Celtic you can’t live on past glories.

And in doing so the Celtic manager has laid down a challenge to the Japanese striker to find his mojo again for the title run-in. It looks like Kyogo’s going to have to do that coming from the bench as Adam Idah appears to the the manager’s first pick now after scoring five goals since his arrival at the end of the January transfer window.

“In my first spell here, Leigh Griffiths had scored 40 goals the previous season,” Rodgers pointed out to the written mainstream press, as reported by Daily Record, ahead of today’s Scottish Premiership match against Hearts at Tynecastle. “People couldn’t envisage him not being in Celtic’s starting 11. But for me, it’s always about the team, never one player. This is a sign that Kyogo has to step up as well.

“He has such an important role here. He was great for two years but I wasn’t here then. I can only judge on what I’m seeing now, and if people aren’t performing Celtic has to be a club where there’s someone to step in. The biggest clubs must have competition. If you don’t have it, you suffer. But Kyogo is still a really important player for us.”

Rodgers also used HIS call to sign Adam Idah as a marker for the future just as Mark Lawwell and Co exited the club after failing to impress the Irishman with their list of January targets. Rodgers instead opted to sign Idah, and despite the initial criticism., it’s proved to be a shrewd signing that could have a significant impact on Celtic’s title push.  Rodgers, didn’t miss the opportunity to point out that he does indeed have an eye for a player, something that he doesn’t get too much credit for around Paradise.

“Hopefully there will come a time here when I can be trusted,” he said.  “And maybe I have an idea of what I’m doing. Adam was a player that came to us late. His agent rang me up and said there was a possibility.

“The agent knew I liked him as a young player. When he was available it excited me. Sometimes a player just needs a change of environment. The negativity about Adam being third choice striker at Norwich? For me, that wasn’t the case. I know that the potential is there with him.

“At 23 years old, he has everything to be a really top striker. Part of my strength is helping players develop and improve. He’s come in and really enjoyed it. He gives our team a presence.”

CELTIC SHORTS…“It’s now game on,” Brendan Rodgers relishing Celtic’s title battle