Is Celtic star Kyogo the victim of an agenda, or does he deserve ‘diver’ label?: Graeme McGarry

The point is that I don’t think you need to necessarily fall into all or any of these categories mentioned by Postecoglou in order to think that Celtic striker Kyogo sometimes throws himself to ground rather easily in order to get opposition players in trouble.

Conversely, every word that Postecoglou used to describe the Japanese sensation in his defence of his player was spot on. Kyogo has been a breath of fresh air in the Scottish Premiership. His electric movement is thrilling to watch. When you couple his undoubted abilities as a player with his off-field humility and infectious enthusiasm, then it is easy to see why the Celtic supporters have instantly taken him to their hearts.

And he is brave. No doubt about it. That opposition teams are trying to stop him by means fair and foul is no shock to Postecoglou, who rightly said that his man is prepared to put himself in where it hurts in order to get on the end of balls against defenders who almost exclusively enjoy height and weight advantages over him.

Again though, all of this can be true, and you can still think that Kyogo sometimes throws himself to ground rather easily in order to get opposition players in trouble.

Let’s examine the incidents that seem to have landed Kyogo this unwanted reputation from some quarters. Whether it is unwarranted, is up to the (couch-sitting) observer.

Against Livingston, Kyogo went down when Ayo Obileye stupidly wafted a slap onto the back of his head, falling backwards theatrically and making sure that the referee was fully aware of what had taken place.

Against Dundee, he initiated the merest of contact with Lee Ashcroft, and again went down holding his head in the penalty area. Though, in his defence, an earlier neck issue was later cited as having been aggravated in the incident.

Then, against Hearts, he appeared to suffer what is known in the playground parlance as a ‘nipple twister’ at the hand of John Souttar off the ball, and again fell to the deck.

Did any of these incidents merit the reaction they elicited from Kyogo? And, perhaps more pertinently, were his intentions nefarious? I don’t think any impartial observers to these incidents could deny with a straight face that he has gone down far too easily, even if by the letter of the law – in the Livingston incident at least – the correct outcome ensued.

Only he really knows for sure, of course, but what matters in a material sense to Celtic is that it doesn’t take much for such a reputation to stick to a player. And subsequently, that his conduct is judged in a harsher way by referees, wary that he may be trying to con them.

So, while Postecoglou has been understandably keen to protect his player in public from allegations of play-acting or cheating, he may look to have a quiet word in his shell-like about avoiding such over-the-top reactions going forward. Otherwise, if he does get lamped one day – and it’s hardly outwith the realms of possibility – his reaction may not be taken at face value.

In fairness, going by the highly unscientific evidence on social media, even Celtic fans are a little disappointed in some of the reactions from their player, who they are clearly devoted to. So that perhaps tells its own story.

They are also right to point out, mind you, that rival supporters who are piously calling Kyogo a ‘cheat’ have very short and selective memories.

For example, just a couple of nights ago, Hibs attacker Martin Boyle threw himself to the ground against Livingston in order to win a penalty when very little (if any) contact was made. Justice prevailed as he ballooned it over the bar, but the point stands, he conned the referee into thinking he had been fouled, when he had not.

Rangers fans are understandably all over each of these incidents involving Kyogo, but have cheered with glee when their own Glen Kamara got Kilmarnock keeper Daniel Bachmann sent off for a nothing incident at Ibrox a couple of seasons ago, or further back, when Kyle Lafferty famously got Charlie Mulgrew – then of Aberdeen – sent off for flicking his face with an eyelash as he blinked. Alfredo Morelos was once sent off in an Old Firm game for simulation, while Kyogo has yet to be cautioned for such an offence.

We could go through all clubs in the country and cite such examples, so there is some sympathy with Postecoglou’s point regarding an agenda if Kyogo is singled out. But he also cannot deny that his player is attracting such attention by consistently going to ground in such a manner.

As with acknowledging the brilliance of the player while thinking he goes down too easily, both of these things can be true.

Hopefully from here on in, Kyogo will concentrate in hurting his opponents the best way he can, with his outstanding abilities. If he does, the only thing people will be calling him is a brilliant footballer, which even the laziest couch-sitting observer can plainly see.