Celtic manager’s worrying Kyogo admission before Rangers game

Celtic find themselves in a great position going into the final part of the campaign. They hold a six point lead over the Rangers with five league games left to be played. On the other hand, they will come up against Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side in the Scottish Cup semi-final. Thus, a treble is still on for Ange Postecoglou’s side, which nobody could have imagined coming into the season.

But, the Hoops cannot afford to take their eye off the ball. There is still a lot of work to be done this season and no place for complacency.

While they might have won 7-0 against St Johnstone, they were handed a major worry as well, as Giorgos Giakoumakis was forced off the pitch with an injury in the first-half itself. The Greek striker has been immense since the turn of the year.

Fortunately for Celtic, Kyogo Furuhashi is back in the mix of things but it does not look like he is fit enough to be starting already and Postecoglou doubts that he will start against the Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final. As reported by The Scottish Sun, the manager said:

"“I wouldn’t think we will be throwing him in next week. I doubt he’ll start next week.“But if we can get him some more game time in the next couple of weeks you think he would be ready to go the last three or four games.”"

Celtic handed striker worry with Giakoumakis picking up an injury

While the extent of Giakoumakis’ injury is still unclear, the fact that he had to come off in the first half itself is worrying. One can only hope that it was a precautionary change and it is not a serious problem.

On the other hand, it might be the right idea not to start Kyogo games before he is ready. One has to remember that his appearance against St Johnstone was the first one that he has made this year, having been out of action since December.

As a result, it is very possible that Daizen Maeda could be the one leading the line against the Rangers next weekend.