Brendan Rodgers challenges Kyogo to step up as Celtic boss makes clear the criteria striker is judged on

Brendan Rodgers has told star striker Kyogo Furuhashi that he’ll need to up his game to start for Celtic.

The Japanese ace was the club’s top scorer for two years under Ange Postecoglou, before Rodgers’ return to Parkhead last summer. This season, Kyogo has bagged nine Premiership goals, including two winners against Rangers.

But after being hooked at half-time in last weekend’s 3-1 win over Motherwell – where his replacement Adam Idah hit a double – the 29-year-old was left on the bench for Wednesday night’s 7-1 rout of Dundee. Idah, who signed on loan from Norwich in January, is set to get the nod again to start up front against Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday. And boss Rodgers insists Kyogo isn’t performing well enough to be guaranteed a place in his Celtic side – and admits he now faces a fight to get back in.

The Hoops boss said: “In my first spell here, Leigh Griffiths had scored 40 goals the previous season. 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 is also hoping that Idah’s instant impact at Parkhead means the Celtic fans will now trust his judgement of a player. When the Irish striker arrived on deadline day in January, supporters weren’t exactly thrilled about their capture of the Norwich ace.

But Idah is now Celtic’s first choice