Alan Hutton has backed Kasper Høgh to rediscover his scoring touch at Celtic, questioning whether the striker is getting the service he needs.

The £11million signing looked to have announced himself properly when he scored a first-half hat-trick against Kilmarnock on his second Celtic appearance.

Three months later, those remain his only goals for the club.

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His barren run has stretched beyond 1,000 minutes, with Sunday’s disallowed finish against the same opposition adding another frustrating chapter. Høgh thought he had finally ended the drought before a VAR review identified a foul by Mika Baur in the build-up.

Hutton believes confidence has become part of the problem.

Speaking to OLBG, the former Rangers defender said:

“As a striker, Kasper Hogh’s confidence is low. When he first signed, he looked full of confidence, buzzing about the place with a big smile on his face.

“Hogh played away against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park and I thought, ‘They’ve got a player here,’ because I’d seen him before in the Champions League for Bodø/Glimt and thought he was a top player.

“As a Rangers fan, you worry a bit thinking he could be a difference-maker if he hits the ground running.”

That afternoon at Rugby Park showed what Høgh can offer. All three goals came inside the penalty area, with the striker arriving where Celtic needed him to finish.

Lately, we have seen him dropping deeper to get involved and find a few touches. There is value in linking the play, but Celtic also need to give him something to attack when he gets into the box.

Hutton raised that very issue.

“At Rugby Park, he played really well, his link-up play was excellent and he looked a real goal threat, but he’s just come off it.

“I don’t know if they aren’t playing to his strengths or putting balls into the box for him to feed off.

“Scrutiny at Celtic and Rangers is huge, so when you’re not scoring and the fans get on your back, your confidence takes a dip.

“Everybody knows there’s a top player in there; it’s just about bringing it out.”

Høgh still has to take responsibility for his finishing. Sixteen games without a goal is a poor return for any Celtic striker, never mind the club’s record signing.

But the players around him have a responsibility, too.

Celtic’s changing combinations out wide have made it difficult to establish an understanding. Whoever plays there needs to recognise his runs and deliver the ball early enough for him to use them.

Rugby Park provided a fairly clear example of how dangerous he can be. Celtic should be working towards getting him those chances again.