Opinion: Is Celtic boss playing mind games ahead of cup clash?

Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou had some interesting comments to make in the wake of the Hoops’ 7-0 win over St Johnstone at the weekend.

The Hoops manager was adamant that Kyogo, who featured in the later stages of the win against the Perth side, will not start for the Bhoys in the upcoming Scottish Cup tie against Rangers.

“I wouldn’t think we will be throwing him in next week. I doubt he’ll start next week” the Celtic boss said, as reported by the Daily Record.

“But if we can get him some more game time in the next couple of weeks you think he would be ready to go the last three or four games” the Hoops manager declared.

As Kyogo has only played 16 minutes of football in 2022, Postecoglou’s comments make sense. But is there also the chance that he is playing mind games ahead of the cup tie?

That could depend on Giorgos Giakoumakis’ availability for the upcoming match at Hampden Park. The in-form Greek striker had to go off during the first-half of the win over St Johnstone after suffering a hamstring injury.

Should Giakoumakis miss the cup tie, the only fit striker in the Hoops squad would be Daizen Maeda, who the Celtic boss has for the most part preferred to play on the wing.

Postecoglou has the players available to play on the wing, such as Jota and Liel Abada, which could afford the opportunity of playing Maeda as Celtic’s main striker in the derby. But if he wants to play Maeda on the wing, Kyogo could be an option up-front for the Bhoys.

It would be a gamble to start the Japanese international in the game, but the Celtic boss hasn’t been afraid to give players that have just returned from injury playing time – like Callum McGregor when he returned from his facial injury, for example. If Kyogo feels fit enough to