Celtic’s next game is away to Dortmund, and Chris has a sneaking sense that this will be Idah’s moment to shine.
Kyogo Furuhashi or Adam Idah will face Borussia Dortmund. Many people believe it’s a no-brainer, with the Japanese being the apparent first choice.
However, I am not convinced it is that straightforward. I’m looking forward to seeing Brendan Rodgers’ perspective. Kyogo is a great act, and I am a huge fan. He delivers in huge games. Celtic boss signed Idah to provide a different type option, and I’m interested in how the frontmen will be used at Signal Iduna Park.
Kyogo is expected to spearhead the attack in the upcoming Champions League match. He was given the start against Slovan Bratislava and scored as the club cruised to a convincing victory. Kyogo not only scored once, but he also created room and opportunities to add more through his movement and fast thinking. Twice in the first quarter, he cleverly created space for himself to receive passes inside the box, but his finishing failed.
But Kyogo got it right the third time, and with goals against Lazio and Atletico Madrid last season, he demonstrated his ability at this level. Interestingly, all of these goals have come on home turf. And I’m just wondering if Idah is seriously considering starting away from home.
Despite Kyogo’s talent, he struggled to get into Euro away games last season. It was the same for Ange Postecoglou when he first entered the Champions League, and there were times when he appeared isolated and out of sync.
To me, it comes down to Rodgers’ perception of how things will play out and his faith in Celtic’s ability to impose their typical style in the Bundesliga giants’ backyard. It’s a straightforward question. Is our football better than their press?
If Celtic play from the back, work their way around the Germans, and get the ball moving quickly, Kyogo may be devastating. Rodgers’ team is perfectly suited to playing on the counter in Europe, thanks to the striker’s quickness as well as the wide lads, Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda.
Look at Celtic’s offside goal against Rangers earlier this season. Passing through the squeeze, Kuhn and Kyogo were gone with a single ball from the middle of the park superbly supplied by Callum McGregor. If Rodgers sees that scenario unfolding in Dortmund, I’m very confident he’ll start with the Japanese.
However, the manager has already demonstrated that he is not hesitant to experiment with different methods. I recall Kilmarnock’s decision at the end of last season to start Idah in the championship game.
Celtic were able to change things around. To my eye, with Idah up top, they played over the home press at times, straight into the Irishman, and then exploded into life. It worked quite well. If I recall correctly, the manager described the performance as amazing.
Not that one night at Rugby Park proves there’s more than one way to skin a cat, but having adaptability and options is a great asset, which is why Rodgers is building the squad the way he is right now.
I understand what it’s like to play up front away in Europe against top-tier teams. Sometimes you don’t see the ball for a long time. When it comes to you, there are times when you need to battle and scrap, hold your ground, and win free kicks to give your team a break and move them up the pitch.
I’d argue Idah is a better bet if the manager believes Dortmund can have extended periods, and there’s nothing wrong with that train of thought. Of course, you want to play the game. Of course, you want to assert yourself. Of course, you want to control and dominate, much like Celtic did against Slovan.
However, you must realise that there are tiers. I believe it is safe to predict that Borussia will outperform Bratislava and, with all due respect to Derek McInnes’ boys, Killie. In addition, Idah is more than just a large mass. He can move and engages in link-up play. When it comes to the particular component of playing the position, I believe Kyogo does a better job.
But Idah can do it, and I always thought that when Celtic struggled to get out of games under Postecoglou in away Euro games against Kyogo, Giorgos Giakoumakis was a useful and strong substitute. It might be comparable to Idah. It’s not a matter of determining who is a better striker; it’s a question of horses for courses.
This is why Rodgers paid £9 million for him. To provide Kyogo with a viable alternative as well as a backup plan. If it’s Idah, Celtic have Maeda and Kuhn’s speed, as well as Arne Engels’ athleticism, to move up the pitch and support him. And Kyogo’s presence could have an impact on what happens later in the game, as there are more spaces to exploit.
I don’t think Celtic’s selection against St Johnstone on Saturday will provide Dortmund with any indications because Rodgers will field his best lineup for the Perth game. He will do exactly the same thing in Germany. And I’ll be interested to see whether he thinks Kyogo or Idah is the greatest match for the role.
Read more at: https://sportupdates.co.uk
Leave a Reply