Celtic look a bit short up top at the moment with Oh leaving for Genk and Adam Idah’s future still undecided so that leaves Kyogo as our only natural centre forward in the squad that travelled to the United States.
It’s not panic stations yet as I’m sure the hunt is already under way for a new striker, and this trip to the states is just a ‘glamorous’ training exercise, so we could see a few experiments utilised by Brendan Rodgers.
One of those changes could see Daizen Maeda play a more central role just like he did during the trip to Japan this time last year.
Daizen’s hat-trick last summer
A move that worked out well as the Japanese international scored a hat trick in a high scoring 6-4 defeat against Yokohama F Marinos.
Daizen is of course a natural centre forward having played the position on a regular basis back in his homeland before his move to Glasgow. So don’t be surprised to see him play up top in any of our three games in the states.
With Luis Palma, and Mikey Johnston also present on the tour the left hand side will be well covered so we might just see Daizen deployed through the middle.
It’s a short term solution and one that Brendan Rodgers will want to resolve as soon as possible as the Celtic support awaits the return of Adam Idah.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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Always felt Maeda was our 3rd choice central striker option, if that situation ever should arise for ourselves?
Maeda is possibly the most strangest attacking player, I have ever seen, as can’t recall any other attacking player who can be regarded as better without the football at his feet, than when he actually has?
His work rate is amazing, but if he had the same composer with the football in attacking areas, would possibly be a player we wouldn’t be able to keep hold of imo?
Yet for Rodgers, he remains a very big asset, as he is an option available to all 3 positions across the front line with his high level of flexibility?
Yet, even now, it’s still not certain in which of the 3 positions available, is actually the best for Maeda?
Forrest offers similar flexibility in the wide areas also, and even trying yang to provide the same last season, along with Palma and Johnston even used on the right wide on the odd occasion also?
Would indicate that Rodgers is potentially looking for more flexibility within his attacking options, and not been so predictable in how we are going to approach a match imo?
Idah and kyogo are 2 completely different types of central strikers, and already seen how Idah actually starting can pay huge dividends to ourselves, as killie away proved to be?
With the 5 sub rule in play nowadays, means that the 3 attacking options that usually start a game, won’t be the same 3 that finishes it either?
So calls upon our full backs to form better understanding with the wide men, regarding there link up play?
An area that took ourselves so long to really get up to speed upon last season, yet when it improved massively, our performances followed suit also?
Still not totally convinced kyogo is a Rodgers type striker either at present?
So wouldn’t be totally surprised if Rodgers has Maeda as a potential replacement for kyogo in the making? Even if it wouldn’t be my preferred choice at present?
Huge fan of kyogo as a striker, but still questionable as to whether kyogo will adapt to the adjustments Rodgers looks like trying to introduce into our attacking options imo?
The USA tour will be massive as to what Rodgers might have in mind for the season ahead, and still believe that Idah will be joining ourselves on a permanent deal, especially with so central to the plans of Rodgers for next season, by the looks of things?
Still remains unclear, as to what Rodgers other plans could be, all the same imo?