Chris Sutton has questioned Ange Postecoglou on Twitter after Kyogo Furuhashi sustained an injury after featuring as a substitute in Celtic’s 3-2 Europa League win over Real Betis.
The Bhoys welcomed the La Liga outfit to Parkhead on Thursday night in a dead rubber tie. Both team’s had already confirmed their positions in Group G after five games, with Real Betis advancing as the runners-up while Celtic drop into the Europa Conference League.
Postecoglou reflected the nature of the tie by naming a heavily changed line-up ahead of hosting Motherwell on Sunday. Furuhashi was one of the casualties, with the Japan striker dropping to the bench in place of Albian Ajeti.
But Ajeti’s night only lasted 28-minutes before he sustained a hamstring injury. Real Betis had marked just his sixth start of the season so far, and first opening call since September.
Despite the game having no impact on Celtic’s group ranking, Postecoglou chose Furuhashi to replace the injured Ajeti. But he would only live to regret the call in the 71st-minute.
Furuhashi joined Celtic’s injured crop midway through the second-half when the £4.5m ace could not continue after a robust tackle. He also appeared to sustain a hamstring problem.
Postecoglou confused Sutton by taking any risk Furuhashi could sustain an injury in Celtic’s win over Real Betis. While the Bhoys’ mounting injuries underlined an issue with the squad.
“Gutsy win for Celtic, brilliant effort and desire,” he wrote. “Kyogo wasn’t worth the risk, though. Huge month ahead – the squad is light. The support need to get Ange Postecoglou and the team through the next few weeks until January!”
Was Postecoglou right to risk Furuhashi injury in Celtic win over Real Betis?
Postecoglou will question his decision to field Furuhashi from the bench against Real Betis if the Celtic striker now faces any time out through injury after substituting the substitute.
Furuhashi has been one of the main men at Parkhead since arriving in Glasgow from Vissel Kobe in July. The 26-year-old has 14 goals in 24 games, while providing five assists so far.
He also has three more Premiership goals than any other Hoops player ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Motherwell. So, Postecoglou will kick himself if Furuhashi now cannot face the Well because he sustained an injury during Celtic’s meaningless tie against Real Betis.
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