Chris Sutton has defended Kasper Hogh over his poor form for Celtic since his big-money arrival from Bodo/Glimt in the summer. Hogh scored a hat-trick in his second appearance for the club, but he has struggled for form since.
In fact, Hogh hasn't scored since, and the good hold-up play he showed early on seems to have fallen away amid a clear lack of confidence. The Danish striker appears to be shot-shy, and that's not a great trait for a striker.
But given he has already shown that he has quality to offer, there is a positive in that while quality rarely appears out of nowhere, confidence can, and if that's the only problem Hogh has, then there is a clear path back to form.
“I’d urge fans to show a bit of patience," former Hoops frontman Sutton wrote in the Daily Record. "I’ve been there myself and I know how quickly the narrative can change when the goals dry up. The ex-Bodo/Glimt goal machine is adapting to a new system and there is more to playing as a lone striker than simply putting the ball in the net.
“Hogh has to bring others into the game, hold the ball up, stretch defences and give opposing centre-halves something to think about. I actually thought his all-round contribution was better against Motherwell There were signs he is beginning to understand what Martin O’Neill wants from him and his link-up play is improving. I also liked his unselfishness in setting up Benjamin Nygren for Celtic’s second goal. Hogh is a team player - and that is not necessarily a bad thing. I am not nearly as down on him as some people seem to be.”
Hogh did look a little sharper against Motherwell, providing an assist, although his decision to not take the shot on himself was another sign of his lack of confidence.
But the lack of goals is the least of Hogh's problems. You take a lack of goals from target strikers if they are good for your system of play, if they take the ball, hold it up and bring others into the game.
But while Hogh did that early in his time at the club, he hasn't been doing it of late, and he needs to get back to offering that if he wants to remain Martin O'Neill's starting striker. Celtic could certainly do with it on Thursday night, when they face Benfica.
Add us as a preferred source on Google