Steven Naismith articulates what ‘every Celtic fan’ has been saying for the last three transfer windows

Steven Naismith has criticised Celtic‘s lack of goal-scoring threat after Saturday’s narrow win over St Mirren.

The Hoops won 1-0 at Celtic Park, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scoring the game’s only goal in the 15th minute.

Celtic remain in the hunt for the Scottish Premiership, but looked blunt and lacking in firepower throughout Saturday’s game.

January signing Tomas Cvancara started up front and was replaced by Kelechi Ihenanacho in the second half, but neither player looked like adding a second goal.

Celtic’s form has largely relied on the contributions of Benjamin Nygren this season, but Martin O’Neill will need to find another solution if he is to guide his team to the title.

Steven Naismith: Celtic yet to replace Kyogo Furuhashi

Football Insider exclusively revealed in February that Kyogo Furuhashi will leave Birmingham this summer, after an incredibly difficult season.

The former Celtic man joined the Championship side from Stade Rennais last summer, but has scored just three goals in 31 games across all competitions.

The Japan international is a hero at Parkhead, having scored 85 goals across 165 games in his three-and-a-half years at the club.

And it is a widely accepted opinion that Celtic are yet to replace him, with several players struggling to recreate his impact since.

There has been talk of Furuhashi returning to Celtic this season, but transfer chiefs are likely to look for a younger option than the 31-year-old.

Speaking to BBC Sportscene on Saturday, Naismith said: “Since Kyogo went, I think every Celtic fan would say that for the last three transfer windows, they’ve needed a goal-scorer.

“They’ve ended up having to get Iheanacho in out of the transfer window, had to build his fitness up, he gets an injury.”

Naismith says Kelechi Iheanacho can be Celtic’s main man

Iheanacho joined Celtic on a free transfer in September after his contract had been mutually terminated at Sevilla.

The striker arrived with a strong goal-scoring record from his time at Manchester City and Leicester City, but he has made just 17 appearances this season, having struggled with injuries.

The 29-year-old has now returned to action and scored the winner against Dundee FC last week.

But Iheanacho’s return will require care and patience – a luxury Celtic are without in the midst of a title race.

“He is the one player that I think has real quality for goals,” said Naismith. “But his fitness and his injury record hasn’t been great, and that’s ultimately where Celtic sit.”

While much of the focus ahead of this summer remains on the Celtic manager, decision-makers face a decision just as important when it comes to the player leading the line next season.

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