Kasper Hogh backed to rediscover Celtic form as £11m striker faces growing pressure

The Danish forward has struggled for consistency since his £11million arrival, having failed to find the net since scoring a hat-trick against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Hogh was subsequently dropped to the bench for Sunday’s emphatic 7-1 victory over Hearts, with Camilo Duran preferred to lead the line.

However, Hartson believes the striker can overcome his current difficulties, having experienced similar pressure following his £6million move from Coventry City in 2001.

Speaking to the Scottish Sun, Hartson said: “Hogh arrived with a big reputation, costing £11m, and started on fire.

“But he’s gone off the boil and I’m just hoping he soon finds his feet again and starts scoring goals on a regular basis.

“He’s definitely got something about him. I’d seen a few clips of him for Bodo/Glimt before he arrived and I liked what I saw.

“He then came to Scotland and it was a wonderful hat-trick he scored against Kilmarnock down at Rugby Park.

“I also watched him come off the bench against Wales for Denmark and he looked a real powerhouse.

“Since then things haven’t quite gone his way.

“Listen, I always hope the centre-forwards do well at Celtic. It’s not easy.

“In my time, I generally didn’t go three or four games without a goal. But it took me a little bit of time to find my feet.

“I think I made ten appearances — mostly off the bench — before finally getting off the mark with a hat-trick against Dundee United.

“It’s actually amazing to think that game is 25 years ago today. I can remember it like it was yesterday, too. Lubo Moravcik slid me in for the first and that was me on my way.

“After that, I played just about every week and ended up with 110 goals for the club.

“Hogh just needs to get his confidence back so he’s not snatching at things.

“But he’ll get the support of the manager. Martin was patient with me and I like to think I repaid him with the amount of goals I scored.

“Hopefully things will turn out the same for Hogh.

“I know Camilo Duran has come into the team against Hearts on Sunday, but Martin will still feel Hogh has a big part to play in the team.”