Kyogo made his first start for Celtic – after returning from the hamstring injury that kept him out the team since Boxing Day – last weekend, and he marked the occasion as we’ve got used to him doing – with a goal, as the Hoops defeated Ross County to set up a possible league title win in this weekend’s Glasgow Derby.
But it was the Japanese striker’s return to action and the welcome he received from the Celtic Park faithful that will live long in the memory for Kyogo, as the player admitted, speaking to Celtic TV to being overwhelmed almost to the point of tears by the adulation he received as he made his way onto the pitch as a second half substitute in Celtic’s 7-0 win against St Johnstone.
“When I returned to the game it was a very, very nice atmosphere. Home game, full stadium, that made me really happy,” he said.
“I was happy warming up and before going on the pitch the fans and supporters received me with a big applause, I felt the love of everybody.
“I was almost crying because I felt really happy. “The team was really good in that game and I just wish I could have got a goal.”
“The fans and supporters received me with a big applause. I felt the love of everybody. So, I was almost crying because I felt really happy.”
Kyogo on his comeback pic.twitter.com/OHx73pldWD— CelticQuote (@CelticQuote) April 27, 2022
Whilst the time out recuperating was a long hard slog for Kyogo, the fact the team was playing well seems to have made it easier to cope with. However, the messages of support the striker received during his lengthy rehabilitation were also gratefully received and made him all the more determined to return the favour by getting back in the team and hitting form.
“The fact that I got injured I felt a lot of frustration during my absence because I couldn’t play with my teammates and it was very tough dealing with that feeling. But the team were playing really good and that gave me a lot of joy.
“And of course the fans and supporters told me, ‘We need you back’ so I was very happy with that. This is why I would like to give back with my performances to the team.”
Of course, life goes on, and at a club the size of Celtic there is always someone in the squad where another’s misfortune is their opportunity.
And in Kyogo’s absence Giorgos Giakoumakis bounced back from his own injury issues to bang in the goals that have gone a long way to Celtic being in a position where the title could be won this weekend, and Kyogo admits the Greek striker’s red-hot form was simply further motivation to get back to his best and put the hard yards in during his rehabilitation.
“Yeah that really motivated me seeing him having a good season. So that made me think I have to come back and work harder. This team has great players, so no matter who plays we can play well with our manager with us.
“We have only a few games left so we should keep playing well and expressing our play on the pitch.”
Ange Postecoglou has a nice selection headache ahead of this weekend’s Glasgow Derby. Whilst the last meeting with theRangers saw Celtic have to go into battle without their two top strikers, this time around Ange Postecoglou will have to decide whether it’s Kyogo who will lead the line or whether a recovered Giakoumakis – who was unlucky not to score again at the weekend after coming on as a second half substitute – will get the nod.
Either way it’s a nice problem to have for Ange Postecoglou – and a lot more to think about for our weekend opponents this time around.
Niall J
