Brendan Rodgers was viewed as the best option to replace Ange Postecoglou as Celtic manager. A proven success in Scottish football, he had won all seven domestic trophies available to him during his first stint at Parkhead. But this time around, things have not gone as smoothly for the Northern Irishman and his team.
Celtic were knocked out early from the Scottish League Cup. But most fans were ready to give them the benefit of the doubt and write it off as an off-day.
The Hoops have continued to struggle for consistency throughout the season though and amidst a disappointing run of results, questions are now being asked about Rodgers. Many fans feel that it was the wrong decision to bring him back.
One of the key complaints that many supporters have had is regarding the style of football Celtic are playing right now. It feels like uninspiring compared to Angeball of the last two seasons and it does not appear to suit some of the club's best players.
Celtic superstar has gone against Rodgers' instructions
One important player who has struggled under the management of Rodgers is Kyogo. The Japanese forward had seemed unstoppable in the previous two seasons. But right now, he looks very ordinary.
There have been suggestions that the downturn in form is due to the manager's system and having to play in a deeper role. But as reported by the Daily Record, Rodgers says that Kyogo has gone against his own instructions:
"We went through his video stuff the other week. We looked primarily at the fact I don’t need him dropping in so much. When you’re playing in a lot of games where teams are sat deep, you don’t get a kick of the ball really unless it comes into the box.
“So what do you do? You start wandering. His strength is his penetration. That’s his strength, running in behind and timing his runs. You have to make 10 runs maybe to only get in once but that’s your job as a striker.
“So there’s been nothing changed in that. There’s been absolutely nothing different asked of him because his strength is playing off the last line, timing his movements and being instinctive in the box.
“He’s not a dribbler, he’s not someone who does drop in. He can do it but it’s not his strength. And that’s always the challenge for a striker who wants to affect games. But he’s very receptive."
It remains to be seen if Kyogo's form improves over the coming months as he adjusts more to Rodgers' system. That is one problem that the manager needs to solve if Celtic are to be successful. The Japanese forward is one of the club's best players.
On the other hand, they are expected to sign a striker in January as well. Names like Bojan Miovski, Sydney van Hooijdonk and a few others seem to be in the mix.