Kyogo returns to Celtic’s deadly top spot as Nicolas Kuhn returns to lead the Champions League – 3 talking points
Keigo successfully restored his reputation and returned Celtic to the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 win over St Johnstone.
Japan’s ace returned to the starting lineup and responded with a dynamic performance and his 16th goal of the season. Kyogo scored the first goal and Nicolas Kuhn scored the second goal, bringing the champions within one point to take the lead.
The Asian player was twice sent off for offside and hit the crossbar, but substitute James Forrest confidently converted the ball. Brendan Rodgers’ side performed well in attack, with Cameron Carter-Vickers in defence, the Saints left the field and substitute Connor Smith brought some consolation to the Perth side. The host country was ignored until then.
Craig Levein’s side remain firmly in the relegation battle after the defeat, but Celtic are eyeing a big prize. If Kyogo looks back in good spirits, his chances will greatly improve.
The forward became a complete threat, justifying Rodgers’ decision to move him back into the starting lineup at the expense of Adam Ider. Celtic had chances before breaking through.
A corner from Matt O’Reilly and a shot from Carter-Vickers sparked a scuffle in the box, and a delay was caused by VAR checking for handball by Saints defender Luke Robinson.
Keigo also managed to shake off the away team’s defense and hit a shot from the line to Tomoki Iwata, but he was unable to convert the one-on-one chance.
Keigo approached the goal and headed it in, but Paulo Bernardo’s cross was ruled offside. Goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov made a fine save to deny Iwata’s shot, but Keigo soon had a chance, and Kun went inside and crossed with a dangerous shot.
Kyogo got behind Ryan McGowan and headed the ball into the net. Unbelievably, Keigo was again suspended for offside, this time against Daizen Maeda, which was set up by his teammate.
However, the second goal came shortly after the restart, when Kyogura was brought into play as he went behind the Saints backline to receive a pass from Greg Taylor.
The Asian player did not waste much time carrying the ball across the penalty area, and Kun was ready to fire a shot past his marker and past Mitov. As Celtic looked further ahead, Keio received a pass from O’Reilly and hit the bottom of the crossbar, giving Forrest the winning shot for Celtic just after making his debut for Germany.
O’Reilly’s pass to the experienced star gave him time to get up and fire a nice left-footed shot past Mitov. Forest scored a vital third goal later in the day at McDiarmid Park, where both teams had previously met.
It was a low-stress moment for the champions, but they conceded just before the finish, much to the chagrin of Joe Hart. The goalkeeper made a good save to deny substitute Stevie May’s header, but substitute Connor Smith quickly parried the ball home and fired it high into the net. Before the final, Alistair Johnstone’s shot was disallowed for offside, but Rodgers finished the job. Here are three spots from Parkhead that have been hit by the rain.
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