Brendan Rodgers – Reasons for Kyogo leaving and sensational Jota return

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Brendan Rodgers broke his silence around Kyogo’s departure and Jota’s sensational return in his media conference ahead of yesterday’s scheduled match against Dundee at Celtic Park. The media conference was held on Zoom rather than in person due to the adverse weather conditions…

Kyogo
Kyogo Furuhashi scores a goal, which is later disallowed, during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and BSC Young Boys at Celtic Park on January 22, 2025 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: A quick update on the Kyogo situation, how close is he to moving to France?

Brendan Rodgers: “He’s obviously travelled for a medical and whatnot, so that will probably be confirmed in the next 24 hours.”

Q: How did that deal come about Brendan, was it a case of the player wanting to go or does Celtic see this as the right time in terms of value in his age?

Brendan Rodgers: “It’s nothing to do with the club, naturally as the manager, I work on myself. At this point, he is one of our top players and someone who fits perfectly into how we play and how we work. Kyogo has expressed an interest to leave a number of months back and obviously, that expression becomes stronger, and it gets to the stage where he clearly really wants to leave. Sadly, we have to do a deal then and look to finalise that for him. He’s been an incredible player for the club for the three and a half years he’s been here. Like I said, he’s not someone we wanted to lose, but we have to accept where he’s at. After the work he’s done to give to Celtic and his age, we have to respect that.”

Q: How awkward is the timing in this window, especially given that Celtic have now qualified through to the Champions League?

Brendan Rodgers: “There can be issues around the timing, but we have been aware, so it’s not something that’s just been sprung on us. We understand that we were going to lose him, and we understand that we have to replace that quality to keep the team moving forward. That’s something that has been ongoing for a little while, and hopefully by the end of the window we come out of the window with a stronger squad.”

Jota scores against theRangers
Jota scores Celtic’s second goal during the Scottish Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on September 03, 2022. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: Where are you on the Jota situation in terms of bringing him back to Celtic?

Brendan Rodgers: “Likewise, it’s not finalised yet but a player who clearly would be an incredible addition to our squad given what he’s done here before. Hopefully, we can confirm that in the next 24 hours.”

Q: In terms of recruitment, If the figures being quoted are correct in terms of outlay and intake, does that further highlight the sound business model that Celtic has?

Brendan Rodgers: “No, I have to say that this was nothing that was driven by the club in terms of having to sell, or any pressure on me to want to sell because of Kyogo’s age but it’s nothing to do with that at all. I think that that only comes into it once the player wants to leave, and clearly then at that point, once we can’t convince him to stay, then clearly the club has to go out and do the best they possibly can. What the figures are that are quoted but what I know is that the club are able to get the best deals they possibly can.”

Jota
Celtic v theRangers – Jota celebrates scoring our third goal of the game during the Premiership match at Celtic Park, Saturday April 8, 2023. Photo Malcolm Mackenzie

Q: How confident are you that you’ll get someone in quick enough in terms of a new recruit in that position for Kyogo?

Brendan Rodgers: “As I said, it’s been in the making for a while. So there’s been a lot of work going on behind the scenes and hopefully, we can get someone to add that strength to our squad.”

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About Author

A current third year student studying History and Journalism, Media and Communications at the University of Strathclyde and now writing regularly about the Hoops for The Celtic Star.

1 Comment

  1. The fact that there waa a fee for Kyogo AND Jota was very strange imo. No swap deal with the difference in cash which would be more usual in this situation. Stinks of Kyogo’s new agent making sure that he gets his %age cut .. as well as making Kyogo obviously unsettled.
    Too bad, so sad .. bye bye!
    He’ll realise he’s made a big mistake soon enough, I think.
    He doesnae want tae play for us .. there’s the door!