It took him a few chances, but Kyogo Furuhashi rounded off Celtic' s 4-0 Premier Sports Cup win over Motherwell after a luckless spell in front of the posts. But Ange Postecoglou always felt they would come.
HIs team have been guilty of missing numerous chances, especially in Europe, and Kyogo was one of several who saw good ones go abegging against RB Leipzig in the Champions League. However, the champions hit Hibs for six at the weekend as they rediscovered their scoring touch at Parkhead,
But it looked for a spell like Wednesday night might be one of those nights for the Hoops. Kyogo missed an early sitter before crashing a long-range effort off the bar. But once again, Liel Abada was the man on the spot to fire them into a half-time lead. They found their shooting boots after the interval though. Abada notched his and Celtic's second before Reo Hatate showed soft feet to seal the win with a third. And Kyogo got his goal at the end, tapping in after Abada had hit the post.
The goal will have come as something of a relief for the Japanese star, who hasn't been as prolific this season after banging them in this time last year. But whether he scores or not doesn't alter how his manager thinks he's performing and Postecoglou admitted he's always confident the goals will come for his number eight.
“Like all strikers, he loves scoring goals," he told Premier Sports. "He’s just been going through one of those patches where he's been hitting the post and the ball just isn’t going in.
“I’m sure getting that one today will make him feel good, but it won't change how I think he's going. I still think he’s playing well, he’s getting himself into the right areas.
“If he keeps doing that, like any striker, if he keeps believing and taking up the positions he should take, then the goals will come.”
Benjamin Siegrist made just his second Celtic appearance since joining from Dundee United on a free transfer last summer. He made a big save at 1-0 to keep his team’s lead intact, and Postecoglou was pleased to see his understudy come in and keep a clean sheet.
He added: “Really good. Joe’s been outstanding for us, but Benji works hard every day in training, along with Bainy and young Toby. He played well in the first game in the cup and I thought it was the right time for us to give him another opportunity, and he did really well tonight.
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