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News
‘Crucial’… Mark Wilson says 21-year-old Celtic player is so important to Kyogo Furuhashi’s goalscoring form
The dip in Kyogo Furuhashi’s goalscoring form for Celtic has been a bit of a concern this season.
As the Japan striker adapts to Brendan Rodgers‘ system, it is clear his new role within the team is hampering his ability to find the back of the net.
But that isn’t the only reason the Japan international is falling behind in the goalscoring stakes. According to Mark Wilson, Kyogo is missing one of his teammates who has currently been out injured all season.
How Liel Abada has affected Kyogo’s goalscoring for Celtic
Liel Abada has been out injured since picking up a thigh injury on international duty back in September.
The little Israeli has been a crucial part of Celtic’s recent successes as his goals and assists helped the Parkhead club to five trophies in two seasons.
Wilson believes that Abada’s time on the treatment table has not only affected the Celtic team, but also Kyogo’s ability to score goals.
Wilson said [], “Abada’s a good shout because Abada often gets forgotten about because he’s been out for so long. But Kyogo, the amount of goals if you look at it over that period where Abada gets to the byline and cuts it Kyogo’s there to put it away.
“I think he does miss him. Of course, Maeda works well with him on the other side as well. But I think Abada is crucial not just for Kyogo but for the whole Celtic team with the amount of assists and goal involvements he gets.
“So if Brendan Rodgers can get him back anytime soon it’s a big plus for the side.”
Indeed, you could also argue the case that losing Jota has had a big effect on Kyogo as well. Between both Abada and the Portuguese winger, they created a grand total of 47 assists in two seasons.
That is a hell of a lot of goal creation to take out of any team in one fell swoop. How many of those Kyogo go on the end of is anyone’s guess but let’s just say that the Japan international would never have gotten his 60+ goals without either Jota or Abada feeding him over the last two seasons.
Hopefully, Abada is back sooner rather than later because with the Glasgow Derby edging ever closer, Celtic will need him in the team if they want to keep Rangers at bay.
In other news, Celtic Predicted XI vs Kilmarnock… Brendan Rodgers makes two changes as 31-year-old gets his first start