Celtic's attacking artillery comes out of cold storage against Aberdeen next Saturday with boss Ange Postecoglou spoilt for choice in the forward areas. It's a trip to Pittodrie which has the champions protecting a nine point lead at the Premiership summit and former Hoops winger Joe Miller has run the rule over who he believes should get the nod to face the Dons.
The six candidates have been assessed with Miller opting to go with a starting trio of Jota, Kyogo and Liel Abada and has outlined his thinking behind his choices for Record Sport ahead of the trip to the Granite City. Strength in depth and a fierce competition for places in the Celtic forward line may be a pleasant puzzle for Postecoglou to solve and a host of pros and cons have been considered by the one-time Parkhead favourite.
Miller anticipates a testing return to action for the Hoops against one of his old clubs after the five week shutdown due to the World Cup but he's convinced Celtic are already too far ahead in the title race to be caught. But when it comes down to what personnel is best suited to claim the points against Aberdeen, Miller can't see past a talent laden front three from Portugal, Israel and Japan with all of the runners and riders aiming for a start being placed under the microscope.
The 1988 centenary title winning wide-man doesn't pull his punches as he makes his choices and he's also convinced each of the seven candidates are stand-out Scottish Premiership performers who each on their day operate at a level which is in a different league.
JOTA
Strengths: His first thought is to take his marker on and everything about his game is about being direct. He's also switched on about his immediate options, whether that's to get at his man or find a team-mate with a pass. His movement allows him to already become a huge threat without the ball and on his day is the best player in the country when it comes to creative invention and entertaining.
Weakness: There's a bit of inexperience which comes with being a young player and it's about making the right decision at the right time and he'll learn and no doubt move on eventually for a huge fee.
LIEL ABADA
Strengths: I'm a huge fan of Abada but I prefer him being utilised in a more central role and joining in from that area rather than the touchline as that's where he gets his goals from. He has a knack of drifting into back-post areas and finding that bit of space. As a winger, he doesn't create much, he rarely eliminates the full-back by dribbling or delivering crosses but his timing and intelligence more make up for that as it allows him to be a massive scoring threat.
Weakness: He's still only 21-years-old and is still learning the game but there are occasions where he finds himself isolated in the wide areas. I feel as though he should be demanding the ball more and taking a leaf from Jota's book by being more direct.
JAMES FORREST
Strengths: There's been no greater servant to Celtic over the last decade but he's at the stage where he's in and out of the side which is down the size of squad and others making big contributions but only a fool would write him off.
The game has changed and a large squad should suit him as he's been getting rest over the season and when he does get his chance he looks sharp, energetic and up for it and being back to that player of a few years ago with that directness by cutting inside and scoring goals. Make no mistake, he's still a huge threat.
Weakness: James carries a tag which you get with wingers and it's about not being consistent enough and it comes with the territory. There is an inconsistency there and he can be unpredictable. Sometimes that's not down to the player but down to the tactics and being asked to do a specific job on the park.
DAIZEN MAEDA
Strengths: You rarely see a player who is as prepared to run all day long and this guy is like a Duracell battery, his appetite to work for the team is astonishing and we have seen that again during his time at the World Cup with Japan. He has a manic approach to his game, when you possess his type of work-rate then that's half the battle. It's such a huge asset for any side to have a forward who understands the importance of defending from the front. It's a huge part of Celtic's game to try and win the ball back as quickly as possible and Maeda is key to that and he pressurises defenders into making mistakes.
Weakness: He likes to run in behind but he could use his pace a bit better and more effectively. There's also an issue with his finishing as he can be wasteful and has a tendency to snatch at things in front of goal. The World Cup may have taken a toll on him so Postecoglou may rest him rather than start him at Pittodrie.
SEAD HAKSABANOVIC
Strengths: I like him but I also believe there's a lot more to come from him. He can find pockets of space and always looks dangerous as he knows where the goals are as he was showing before the break. An ability to scan what's ahead of him and see the pictures others can't is a part of his game but he typifies why players enjoy playing for Celtic as the ethos is always to be direct, entertain and try to score goals. He's a key to the door for Celtic.
Weakness: The finishing could improve but he's still a young player who has plenty to learn and needs to show he can contribute consistently and influence games week on week.
KYOGO
Strengths: There's no doubt he's a huge talent and he'll be hurting after being left out of Japan's World Cup squad so should be fired up for the months ahead with a point to prove. It's his game knowledge and movement which make him a class act and I'm sure he'll start against the Dons. He'll possibly benefit from the break and feel a lot fresher and sharper but technically he's a top player and another on a different level to most of his Premiership peers.
Weakness: There's been a dip in his form lately and he's looked less than clinical in front of goal. That finishing ability needs to improve if he's to get back to where he was when he first arrived at Celtic.
GIORGOS GIAKOUMAKIS
Strengths: A naturally instinctive finisher and a guy who brings more of a physical threat to the side than any of his colleagues. There's no doubt he's coming into his prime at 27-years-old and is a confidence player who scores in spates before going a bit cold again. As a link-up striker there are more able alternatives for Celtic in the central area but the Greek has lethal attributes in his locker when he's in the mood.
Weakness: It's clear there's a frustration at being regarded as a more than capable back-up to Kyogo and that can impact on someone who appears to thrive on confidence. Giakoumakis has proven he knows how to score goals but his contribution and link-up outside the opposition box could be improved.
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