Already this morning, I have spoken about how Celtic are monitoring the Bologna striker Sydney van Hooijdonk’s status at the Serie A club.
With reports claiming that the 23-year-old wants to leave the club surfacing, it seems that Celtic are now turning their attention to the young Dutch forward.
And it seems that is the position that causes the most concern for John Hartson. The legendary former Celtic striker was speaking after the Hoops’ 1-0 win over Ross County yesterday and said that his old club must address the striking position before the January window closes.
John Hartson defends Kyogo Furuhashi’s Celtic record
There is little doubt that the 29-year-old Japanese striker is struggling to find the form that made him an instant hero with the fans under Ange Postecoglou.
With just 11 goals in 31 appearances for Celtic so far this season, Kyogo is clearly struggling to hit the goalscoring heights the supporters have been accustomed to under Brendan Rodgers. [Transfermarkt]
But despite that, Hartson has defended the popular striker and said that the Hoops must look to add another forward before the window closes on the 1st of February.
Hartson took to social media channel X and said, “Kyogo copping a bit of flack.. but his goals per games is ridiculous.. that’s my point he’s not going to sustain that ratio so Celtic need a forward that is capable of coming into the side and can deliver when needed.
“Selling GG was a mystery.”
Celtic selling Giorgos Giakoumakis was the correct decision
In part, I am in agreement with some of what Hartson is saying. However, I have to say I haven’t seen many fans criticising Kyogo for his lack of goals this season.
He is clearly being asked to play a new role under Rodgers and it is one that doesn’t seem to suit his style.
However, what I can’t agree on is what Hartson claims is a ‘mystery’ when Celtic sold Giorgos Giakoumakis last January.
The Greek striker was clearly unhappy at not being used more by Ange Postecoglou and TBR Celtic told in November how Giakoumakis felt as if he wasn’t trusted enough.
So he was sold for £4m and, to be fair to him, he has made the move work in his favour. Celtic selling him was the correct decision in my opinion.
Keeping players that want to leave the club never works out and Celtic found that to their cost in the COVID season by hanging onto the likes of Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer.
So whilst the club does need to add more firepower, we need to let the Giakoumakis thing go.
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