Struggling Celtic striker Kasper Hogh is getting special treatment due to the fee he arrived on, according to pundit Andy Walker.
Hogh has endured a difficult time since arriving at Parkhead on an £11million deal that could rise to more than £13million with add-ons. Hogh scored a hat-trick in his second game for the club but has not scored since, with his goal drought stretching beyond three months at this stage.
The Dane's performances have been poor for the most part, and he was even dropped from the Denmark squad as a result.
But O'Neill keeps giving him chances, even though his presence is forcing Camilo Durán to play out wide. The Colombian has had no such struggles, scoring 13 times so far in his first season at the club.
According to Walker, time may be running out for Hogh despite his improved performance over the weekend, but his fee has bought him more time than what would be given to most.
“I think there will come a point where they have to say this isn’t working, but he’ll probably get more chances to start games than most because of the price tag,” former Celtic striker Walker said on the Go Radio Football Show.
“I know myself how difficult it is to score for Celtic on a regular basis. Obviously when I was doing that, you get a place in the team every week and then when you’re going through a bad spell, quite naturally you go to the bench or you’re left out completely.
“But this is a problem because he cost £11million and he will get more chances than most. If he was signed for £1 or £2million, he would just be dropped immediately and I don’t think the manager would have as much patience with him, but he’s cost £11million and his value will drop considerably if he’s left on the bench and doesn’t come on. He’s got to play and he’ll be given more chances than most.”
O'Neill says Hogh only needs a goal for things to turn around, and he keeps giving him chances to get one. But the closest he has come was a disallowed goal on Sunday, and the VAR decision meant his miserable run would extend past three months and into the international break.
O'Neill said he was pleased with the overall performance, but he has been very reluctant to criticise the striker.
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