Parkhead boss tells critics to lay off Kyogo

surprised if any people who love football, irrespective of who they support, don’t think Kyogo is great for this competition. He is certainly great for our football club; our supporters love him, which is the most important thing, even for the competition.

“He’s exciting to watch. I thought he was outstanding at the weekend, even if he didn’t score. He’s trying to improve every day.

“He’s a great guy to have around, he’s an absolute gentleman and beyond that I’m not brave enough to take on all these other big courageous, couch-sitting, observers of the game, mate.”

Postecoglou says Kyogo is fully aware that he will come in for physical attention from defenders, but that he relishes such a challenge.

“I’m sure the opposition will try to stop him,” he said. “But I’d like to think they’re doing that in legal ways. Kyogo doesn’t expect to go out there and not get marked or not get attention, physical or otherwise. So that’s no issue. I’m sure he’s had that already, mate.

“I don’t think people have been ignoring him since day one. I mean, you can’t ignore him because the first game he played in Europe he scored a goal.

“But that’s not an issue. This is not an on-field issue. This is an issue brought about by people who aren’t actually out there. So for me it’s a non-issue.”

Meanwhile, Postecoglou was pleased to see Dundee United midfielder Calum Butcher being charged by the Scottish Football Association for his wild tackle on Celtic’s David Turnbull in Sunday’s match at Tannadice.

Butcher was shown a yellow card for the offence at the time by referee Don Robertson, but last night accepted a threematch suspension at a fast-track tribunal hearing after being cited by SFA compliance officer Andrew Phillips.

The midfielder had just returned from a two-game ban and will miss his team’s upcoming fixtures against Livingston, Rangers and Hibernian.

“I think it’s been addressed, which is the right thing to do,” Postecoglou said yesterday before Butcher’s ban was confirmed.

“I think it’s a simple, clearcut case.”