Bringing Kogo Furuhashi again to Celtic might not have been the answer, however the Japanese sensation, who has crushed the membership’s Glasgow rivals on quite a few events, would positively be a weapon within the derby.
The 31-year-old, who was linked with a return to Parkhead in January, scored eight objectives in 17 video games in opposition to Ibrox in all competitions, with Hearts being the one crew to attain extra objectives (11) throughout his stellar spell in Scottish soccer.
For the reason that Birmingham Metropolis man’s departure only a yr in the past, adopted by the departure of Adam Ayder himself, the Hoops have performed catch-up relating to signing strikers and endured a automotive crash marketing campaign within the division.
Because it stands, the membership’s highest scoring middle ahead this season continues to be Johnny Kenny with simply six objectives, and neither Junior Adam nor Tomas Kvankala have actually hit the bottom working since becoming a member of halfway by way of the season.
Adam and Tsvankala match vs Stuttgart comparability
Celtic supervisor Martin O’Neill has moved backwards and forwards between Kvankala and Adam in current weeks with various levels of success, however no clear front-runner has but emerged between the 2.
Towards Kilmarnock, for instance, Adam was hooked within the second half and assisted Kvankala for the successful objective within the last minute. The Czech striker then endured two tough begins within the first legs in opposition to Hibernian and Stuttgart, however scored within the last minute.
Adam did not even come on the bench in opposition to Hibs, however he was lively from the beginning within the away sport in Germany and instantly made an impression by helping Luke McCowan’s shock opener.
Having struggled beforehand in opposition to Killy, the Austrian was way more spectacular this time round, primarily chasing shadows because the hosts grew into the sport and took management, though his early involvement was the one actual opening he was concerned in.
Then, when Kvankala got here on within the fifty fifth minute, the 25-year-old misplaced much more affect and confirmed some weak point in possession, shedding the ball as soon as each 1.7 touches.
Tsvankara & Adam vs Stuttgart (2nd leg) | ||
|---|---|---|
standing | Kvankara | Adam |
minutes | 35 | 55 |
contact | 16 | twenty one |
Go accuracy | 40% | 60% |
key move | 0 | 1 |
A giant alternative has arisen | 0 | 1 |
Profitable. dribble | 0/0 | 2/2 |
ball misplaced | 9 | 8 |
Complete variety of duels received | 5/8 | 5/10 |
carry | 3 | 5 |
Celtic wanted to hold on as they chased an unlikely comeback, however the on-loan Borussia Mönchengladbach facet had been unable to function within the sport and their solely large probability within the second half got here when Kelechi Iheanacho dismissed Sebastian Tunekuti.
O’Neal might must get artistic because the returning Iheanacho nonetheless lacks reliability as a result of his current appearances.
O’Neill might unleash £3m Celtic star in new function in opposition to Rangers
The Hoops have tried it with all of their midfield members, together with Kenny, Shin Yamada, Callum Osmando, Iheanacho, Kvankala and Adam, however none of their overwhelming depth is a long-term resolution.
There’s additionally the continued woes of star Daizen Maeda, who scored 33 objectives final season, and the 28-year-old is hardly a viable choice as a stopgap striker given his current regression.
O’Neill is prone to must accept both Adam or Kvankala to make his Previous Agency debut, however he might additionally use a wild card to unleash Hyun-Jung Yang into some new function.
The 23-year-old, who agonizedly approached a £3m transfer to Birmingham final summer time, has had an encouraging season within the facet and is a kind of who significantly benefited from O’Neill’s time within the dugout.
The South Korean star, hailed as a “world-class” expertise like compatriot Son Heung-min within the opinion of former membership chairman Kim Byung-ji, has scored three objectives in 16 video games below interim supervisor, together with final month’s 2-2 draw with league leaders Hearts.
The fleet-footed ahead was additionally one of many few forwards to impress throughout Wilfried Nancy’s disastrous tenure, most memorable for his beautiful run and objective within the last Glasgow derby in January.
As that magical second in opposition to Rangers highlighted, the right-footed participant has a medical edge to his sport when given the possibility and may very well be higher suited as a participant who can break by way of the center and stretch the protection within the mould of Kyogo.
The truth is, though he has scored 4 objectives within the Premiership this season, he has by no means really recorded an help or created a single large probability, making certain that his traits may very well be higher suited to operate as a finisher quite than a supplier from the wing.
Based on Transfermarkt, he has solely performed as a striker twice for Celtic previously, however he made 13 appearances throughout his earlier keep in South Korea, so there are actually advantages to the transfer.
Adam and Kvankala are inexperienced on this sport, with neither having worn a Celtic shirt earlier than, so O’Neill’s centre-forward resolution might come from a participant on the left.
Sitting on the bench with Schmeichel: Celtic star unlikely to be removed from Derby XI
Celtic supervisor Martin O’Neill must be relentless forward of Sunday’s journey to Ibrox.
