Breaking News: Chris Sutton insists it is a huge risk for Celtic to gamble on… Read More.
Chris Sutton insists it is a huge risk for Celtic to gamble on… Read More.
Chris Sutton has voiced his concerns about Celtic’s reliance on Kyogo Furuhashi as their only recognised striker, describing it as a significant gamble.
Celtic have been linked with a move for Norwich City striker Adam Idah, who impressed during a loan spell with the club last season.
Idah, an Irish international, scored nine goals and provided two assists in 19 appearances after joining Celtic in February 2024.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is keen to sign Idah permanently, but negotiations have been challenging, with Norwich City demanding a substantial fee.
Celtic began the 2024-25 season with Furuhashi leading the attack, contributing an assist in a 4-0 victory over Kilmarnock.
Despite this strong start, Sutton remains worried that relying solely on Furuhashi is risky, especially considering the potential for injuries and the physical demands of a long season.
He suggests that Celtic should invest the money saved from their recent signing of Paulo Bernardo into securing Idah’s transfer.
Sutton highlighted that Celtic managed to negotiate a deal for Bernardo at almost half the initial asking price from Benfica, which was reportedly £6 million.
The former Celtic striker believes this type of savvy financial management has put the club in a strong position.
However, he argues that sometimes the club needs to spend more to secure key players, as in the case of Idah.
Sutton also pointed out the decline in Furuhashi’s goal-scoring form, which could be a cause for concern.
The Japanese forward scored 19 goals in 50 appearances last season, a significant drop from the 34 goals he netted in the previous campaign. His debut season at Celtic was more prolific, with 20 goals in 33 games.
Sutton believes this decline, coupled with the lack of depth in the striker position, could jeopardize Celtic’s chances of maintaining their domestic dominance and making an impact in European competitions.
Ultimately, Sutton urges Celtic to act swiftly and secure Idah’s services to avoid the risks associated with relying on just one striker throughout the season.
He warns against complacency, especially with the demanding schedule ahead, and emphasizes the importance of having adequate cover in the squad to ensure continued success.