James McFadden has praised Kasper Hogh for ‘simplifying’ his game amid his Celtic goal drought.

The £11 million striker was denied a first goal since August in Celtic’s narrow win over Kilmarnock, celebrating with relief before turning around to see VAR intervene.

James McFadden on Kasper Hogh: ‘He’s simplified his game’

McFadden said on BBC Sportsound: “It’s tough. He’s been managed well, because he’s been given an opportunity. I think there’s a big appreciation for his work and his performance on Thursday night against Besiktas.

“Likewise, today he gets his goal and it’s ruled out. Kasper Hogh, for me, when he was actually really struggling, he couldn’t do the simple thing. He was trying and trying and trying. Sometimes, the harder you try, the worse it becomes for you. And then you start overthinking it, and you can’t get yourself into a position where you can impact the game.

“I think he’s really simplified his game. He’s fighting defenders, he’s trying to hold the ball up. He’s trying to link the play. He gets his goal today… I think, if it stands, we saw the last time they played against Kilmarnock he got a hat-trick, he may well have got a huge lift from that.

“But he has to reflect on the positives. I think he’s in that stage just now… and I know it sounds really strange when you’re talking about a guy they’ve paid so much money for, but for him, it’s just ‘Do the simple things and do them well.’

“If you do that, the rest will come. Martin O’Neill is trying and trying… I’m not sure if it was wise for him to be bringing up Henrik Larsson in that conversation, but Henrik Larsson did not get off to the best start in his Celtic career, and he didn’t just turn it around, he smashed it out the park!

“But I don’t think he should be mentioning him in the same sentence as Henrik Larsson!”