Three things learned from Celtic 4-2 win vs Livingston: Nicolas Kuhn can be a Hoops sensation
Celtic booked their place in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup with a narrow win against Livingston on Sunday afternoon (10 March).
Despite a swathe of defensive mishaps, the Hoops secured a 4-2 win at Celtic Park courtesy of a hattrick from winger Daizen Maeda and a late Kyogo Furuhashi strike.
Daniel Mackay and Tete Yengi both scored for Livingston to give Brendan Rodgers’ side a fright, but Maeda’s exceptional display was topped off with his close-range 86th-minute winner before Furuhashi’s goal in the 95th minute.
Celtic’s form has been unconvincing in recent weeks, with their 7-1 thrashing of Dundee late last month coming before their shock 2-0 loss to Hearts.
Football Insider has spotted three things learned from the cup clash.
Brendan Rodgers won’t be at Celtic next season
While the victory will ease some pressure on Rodgers, the nature of his first season back at Parkhead does not bode well for his future.
Performances do not seem to be improving and their Livingston outing was the latest subpar display.
Supporters’ biggest grievance with their season so far has been the poor quality football on the pitch and many have been calling for Rodgers’ exit for months for failing to make noticeable improvements.
If Rodgers fails to win any silverware this season, which is likely amid Rangers’ resurgence under Philippe Clement, he surely won’t be back next season. It’s a controversial call, and a huge decision, but it’s hard to see any alternative.
Nicolas Kuhn will come good for Celtic
Hoops fans have so far been unconvinced by Kuhn following his reported £3million January move from Rapid Vienna.
Before the cup clash, he had bagged just one goal in six outings for the club and many were growing fearful that his huge move could turn out to be a waste of valuable funds.
However, he had perhaps his best performance so far in a Celtic shirt and bagged himself an assist for Maeda’s seventh-minute opener. This was the first evidence yet that he can make the shirt his own and be a Hoops sensation.
Kuhn displayed some excellent link-up play with his teammates and produced multiple defence-splitting passes, but fans will be worried after he was forced off with a supposed hamstring injury in the 76th minute.
Celtic need to fix up their defence
A 4-2 win certainly flattered the Hoops’ backline.
Rodgers opted to start a back four of Greg Taylor, Liam Scales, Stephen Welsh and Alistair Johnson, with top-choice centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers left out of the squad as a precaution amid recurring injury issues.
The backline left huge gaps for Livingston’s attackers to exploit, which they did for Yengi’s equaliser.
Even though midfielder Matt O’Riley managed to close him down, the defence failed to put pressure on Yengi which afforded him the chance to shoot.
Strong recruitment will be needed in the summer.
In other news, Celtic top priority signing revealed after deal agreed – Sources.
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