Kyogo Furuhashi and Celtic teammate backed for new roles after injury update – expert
Alan Hutton has backed Kyogo Furuhashi and Giorgios Giakoumakis to play up front together at Celtic whilst Jota is injured.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Rangers defender said both strikers offer something different but could “play off each other”.
Jota, 23, was not included in the matchday squad for the Celts’ home game against RB Leipzig on Tuesday (11 October).
Kyogo, 25, was in the starting lineup for the Hoops and was replaced by Giakoumakis, 27, for the final 25 minutes.
Jota was subbed off at half time in the 2-1 win over St Johnstone on Saturday (8 October).
As quoted by the Scotsman (12 October), Ange Postecoglou said Jota still needs a “bit of investigation” and is likely to miss Saturday’s (15 October) game against Hibernian.
When asked if Postecoglou could use Jota’s absence to try out starting Kyogo and Giakoumakis together, Hutton told Football Insider: “I do not see it being a problem.
“Kyogo is an intelligent player, he knows how to play wide.
“Giakoumakis I think gives you something different up front. He is that kind of powerful number nine, he can hold the ball up and bring others into play.
“I think they could play off each other and it could work well.
“So I do not see it being a problem if Jota is out for a while.
“Of course if there is an opportunity for him to be on the pitch I think the manager would want him there.“
In other news, a pundit has issued ‘massive’ Celtic claim after ‘damaging’ Callum McGregor injury update.