Celtic have a problem with Kasper Hogh, but Martin O'Neill is not overly worried about the situation. The summer signing who could become a record signing if add-ons are met, has not scored a goal since he completed a hat-trick on August 9.
That's not a good record for a striker who cost so much, and it seems as though his confidence crisis is only growing. Hogh did provide an assist during Celtic's 2-0 away win over Motherwell on Sunday, latching on to a mistake before playing in Benjamin Nygren, who still had a lot to do.
But the assist was another example of why Hogh isn't finding the net. The Dane marched through on goal and decided to pass when the shot was on. Unselfish? Yes. But even the pass did not make it anything close to a tap-in from Nygren.
Strikers with confidence take that shot on themselves, and it was surprising to see him pass, and it was even more alarming that he never seemed to consider shooting.
Hogh is repeatedly taking the easy road, always looking to pass rather than turning and having a shot, and Celtic need their striker to be doing the latter.
It was a better performance from Hogh compared to recent outings, there is no doubt, but he still looked every bit the lacking-in-confidence striker he has looked over recent weeks.
O'Neill has to find a solution to that, but he isn't overly worried. He said: "He slipped up at a time when it looked as if he was going to score. I think he just needs a goal. The rest of his game I thought was really fine, he just needs a goal, that’s what strikers thrive on.”
O'Neill isn't wrong about that, but Hogh needs more than a goal. He needs not to be granted the licence to take chances and shoot, but to be told he must do those things. They are an expectation of the striker, and Hogh must start living up to those expectations. There are many other strikers who have come and gone who have not been given the patience Hogh has received.
That patience is not a bad thing. Football is too cruel on that front, but Hogh has to make the most of it or things will start to turn. There is only so much patience fans are going to show, however much they like Hogh.
Add us as a preferred source on Google