Celtic must play to Kyogo Furuhashi's strengths if they want to win the Scottish Premiership title. 

That's the verdict of former Celtic defender Jackie McNamara, who believes the striker is often being used too deep, with his back to goal, and that's why his statistics don't read so well this season. 

Kyogo, 29, has scored 15 times from 41 appearances during the 2023/24 campaign, but found himself in and out of the Celtic starting XI over the past few months since the arrival of Adam Idah. 

McNamara still thinks the Japanese talisman is the Hoops' best option up front, and has urged manager Brendan Rodgers to persevere - stating that he’s seen signs things will start to click again. 

Ahead of Celtic's huge derby clash with Rangers on Sunday, he told Sky Sports: “I think certain teams are sitting in against them, which makes it a bit more difficult. You’re not seeing the best of the likes of Kyogo, you see that when they’re at their best and they’re pressing.

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“It sets the tone, it allows the midfield to come up and it creates space for him, it’s difficult for the opposition to get back in.

“I think we’ve seen that in the last few weeks, getting back to that. I think when they’ve got the space to go into, Kyogo isn’t getting picked up and he's not got his back to goal. He’s always better when he’s facing the opposition goal, and there’s space to run into. 

"I think that's been the main difference for me this season. He's not scored as many goals because he's maybe got his back to goal more, but there's been good signs the last few weeks that we are starting to see a higher intensity, they are moving the ball quicker and are creating more opportunities."

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McNamara reckons Rangers will aim to dominate possession and strike first when the Glasgow rivals meet this weekend - although he's backing the Hoops to pick their moments to hurt the hosts. 

"They (Rangers) are at home," said McNamara. "Celtic have won the first two games this season. Celtic's problems haven't been against Rangers, it's other teams that are sitting in. 

"But you'd expect Rangers being at home with the support they've got, to come here and try dominate the ball, which creates space and if Celtic get about it right from the start and keep that intensity up, which they are capable of doing, I think there's areas they can hurt them."

Asked how important it is for Celtic to clinch all three points, he continued: "It's a really important one because there's not many games left. I think it's imperative that Celtic don't lose the game.

"Rangers have got that game in hand and there's not many games to go, so a draw wouldn't be the worst result for them."