Brendan Rodgers is killing Kyogo and Celtic must stop painful striker decline before title inevitability – Chris Sutton

Kyogo Furuhashi is having his influence absolutely killed.

There’s a real chance it may lead to the slow death of Celtic’s title bid. Brendan Rodgers has been outspoken about needing quality, yet he can’t find a way to get the best out of the highest-quality striker in the country. Now he’s been left out of the side. If that continues, could it lead to him inevitably looking to leave? Kyogo has gone from being the most-feared forward in Scotland to barely getting a chance in a game. It’s actually quite remarkable and, for me, it’s not got that much to do with the boy himself.

Now listen, before I go any further, this is no slight on Adam Idah. The Irish striker was given an opportunity against Hibs and he grabbed it with his two goals. Idah might do well for Celtic, but don’t tell me he’s a better striker than Kyogo.

It’s almost painful to see what has happened to the Japanese over the past few months. The guy scored 27 league goals in 31 starts last season. Eight in 21 this season.

He is a difference maker. He’s shown it for two seasons as a big game player.

Kyogo’s record against Rangers is phenomenal. He’s a proven match winner who is sharper in movement and brain than anyone else in the Scottish Premiership.

His awareness with the give and go and shot that won the second penalty at Easter Road decided the game. It’s the drop in levels around him which is the problem. Not Kyogo.

That’s on the slip in standards of his supply line. Ange Postecoglou found a way to supply him Rodgers has not.

We keep hearing the need for speed, yet Celtic have a guy with the sharpest feet and the sharpest mind who hasn’t operated fully due to team who, for most of the season ,have gone through the motions. It’s Brendan’s failure if he