Former Celtic hero Simon Donnelly reckons that new signing Oh Hyeon-gyu can step up for the Hoops if called upon in the Viaplay Cup final.

Kyogo Furuhashi has been in sensational form for the Scottish champions this season having scored 22 goals so far this season but had to be subbed off in the Hoops fifth round Scottish Cup tie against St Mirren due to a shoulder injury.

It is not yet known how severe the injury to Kyogo is, although it is likely that all shall be revealed in the coming days.

The Celtic striker experienced a similar injury last September but returned only days later as a substitute against Real Madrid.

Ange Postecoglou has a number of options in the forward areas and opted to play Daizen Maeda through the middle after Kyogo was subbed off which is a position familiar to the 25-year-old as he regularly plays there under Hajime Moriyasu for the Japanese national team.

New signing Oh Hyeon-gyu bagged his first goal for the Hoops in the cup tie against St Mirren and although he is yet to start a game under Postecoglou, Simon Donnelly believes that the former Suwon Samsung Bluewings forward can step up and perform on the big day.

“Oh will be thinking about the cup final now, absolutely he will,” said Donnelly speaking to the [Scottish Sun].

“That’s the way I’d be thinking, given Kyogo has picked up an injury and is a major doubt.

“Oh got his first goal at the weekend and his confidence is sure to be high.

“He’ll be another week further forward in terms of fitness too.

“So if he comes in against Aberdeen at the weekend he’ll see it as a massive opportunity.

“He could be starting in a major final and he’s virtually just in the door at Celtic.”

Donnelly who won a League Cup and League double 25 years ago under Wim Jansen is hoping that Kyogo is fit for the final but isn’t too worried about what will pan out but would rather see Oh being given the nod through the middle than Maeda.

“We haven’t seen a lot of the boy since he was brought into the club.

“When Kyogo got injured against St Mirren the manager didn’t put him on right away.

“It was Liel Abada who was the first substitute, with Daizen Maeda moved from his role on the left to the striker position.

“But Oh went on later in the game and managed to get his goal.

“So I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the one who plays through the middle against Aberdeen.

“He’s then got an opportunity to really stake a claim for the final.

“Everyone connected with Celtic is hoping Kyogo is passed fit to play in the final. I’m no different.

“But I’ve liked what I’ve seen from Oh so far.

“He’s a younger lad but he’s got a fair amount of physicality to his game, which is different from the other players.

“He’s really robust looking. He showed that with the way he rolled Andy Considine last week against St Johnstone to get him sent off. Maeda’s strength is his pace and running power. He goes past people on the flank like they’re not there, and he does it without a trick!

“I just look at Oh and think he could now get this chance.

“Ange clearly trusts him, that’s why he brought him as a replacement for Giorgos Giakoumakis — and personally I trust Ange’s recruitment 100 per cent.

“I’m content that he knows what he’s doing with players he signs because he always seems ahead of the game in that department.

“He’ll know exactly what this lad can bring to the team.

“It’s maybe just the fact he’s not quite been up to speed yet that stopped him from going on as the first substitute against St Mirren.

“But he’ll have another week’s training under his belt before the weekend and I can see Ange starting him against Aberdeen.

“Obviously Maeda can play there and since coming back from Qatar he’s been sensational.

“But he’s more effective out wide on the left.”