The Portuguese talent should be reintegrated into the starting lineup to operate in a position behind Kyogo Furuhashi.
Celtic is gearing up for another Scottish Premiership clash, this time facing Motherwell at Fir Park in the lunchtime kick-off.
The Hoops, currently trailing five points behind Rangers in the league table, faced a setback in their previous match against Kilmarnock, dropping two crucial points.
Manager Brendan Rodgers witnessed his team surrendering a stoppage-time equalizer, allowing their rivals to surpass them on the league table.
In light of this, Rodgers is contemplating changes to the starting XI, with the focus on dropping Adam Idah to make room for the return of creative midfielder Paulo Bernardo. The suggestion is for Kyogo Furuhashi to assume the lone striker role. Idah’s recent performance against Kilmarnock reflects a lack of impact due to limited service, failing to register any efforts on goal in 67 minutes on the pitch, despite Celtic’s possession dominance.
Contrary to Idah’s struggles, Kyogo demonstrated his goal-scoring prowess and creativity in the last match, contributing to the opening goal.
While Idah had shown promise in earlier matches, the combination of him and Kyogo proved less effective against Kilmarnock. Therefore, the proposal is to introduce Bernardo as a natural creative force playing behind Kyogo, potentially optimizing the attacking dynamics.
Looking at Paulo Bernardo’s contributions so far, the 22-year-old midfielder has showcased his quality with two goals, two assists, and three ‘big chances’ created in nine starts for Celtic this season. Described as a “tenacious” dynamo, Bernardo’s impact was particularly notable in a 3-0 win against St Mirren, where he assisted two goals.
Considering Kyogo’s goal-scoring patterns, the suggestion is that Bernardo’s creativity, if employed in a number ten role, could provide higher-quality opportunities for Kyogo within the box, potentially improving his goal-scoring numbers.
While Bernardo’s consistency may have varied, the potential highlighted in performances like the one against St Mirren and his form in Portugal suggests he could be a valuable asset.
In conclusion, the recommendation is for Rodgers to drop Idah to the bench, allowing Kyogo to lead as the lone striker with Bernardo in a supporting role.
This strategic shift not only aims to enhance the team’s attacking capabilities but also provides a potent option with Idah coming off the bench if required in the second half.