Ange Postecoglou reiterates belief in Kyogo Furuhashi as Celtic talisman rediscovers scoring form

Ange Postecoglou admits he retained full belief in Kyogo Furuhashi’s goal scoring exploits after the Celtic striker found the net for the first time in five games against Motherwell.

The Japanese frontman bagged only his a second goal since August as the Hoops eased into the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup with a clinical 4-0 thrashing of the Steelmen at Fir Park.

A brace from Liel Abada set the holders on their way before a neat finish from Reo Hatate sealed their progress. Kyogo rounded off the scoring shortly after hitting the woodwork to set up a last-four clash against Kilmarnock at the national stadium.

While admitting he was delighted to see the former Vissel Kobe star rediscover his shooting boots, Postecoglou claimed he didn’t need to see his talisman score to underline his value to the team.

The Australian said “He’s like all strikers - they go a couple of games without scoring and the world collapses in on them. You try to tell them they haven’t lost any of the ability they have and I’ve been pleased with his general play.

“He loves scoring goals but he’s just been going through one of those patches where the ball just isn’t going in. I’m sure getting that one will make him feel good. If he keeps believing and taking up those positions then the goals will come. He had a great shot in the first-half and he hit the post last weekend.

“Those are the fine margins for strikers. Probably earlier in the year, they both would have gone in. But the key for me is that I’m still pleased with the way he is playing. He’s causing problems for the opposition. I’m pleased for him to get the goal but it doesn’t change my assessment on how he’s been playing.”

Postecoglou opted to reshuffle his squad once again, dropping Hibs hat-trick hero James Forrest to the bench and handing goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist a rare outing between the sticks.

Asked if it was a difficult decision to leave a number of his first-team stars, Postecoglou joked: “I don’t tell them, I just avoid them. I just put the team up and walk away. They all appreciate and understand that if we are going to be successful playing this kind of football, everyone’s got their role.

“We still have seven games to go before the break and it’s not a matter of me just giving guys a game because I feel sorry for them. I’m putting guys in there because I think we can maintain those levels.”