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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Robbie Copeland

Kyogo FIT for Rangers vs Celtic as Ange Postecoglou delivers derby injury state of play

Kyogo could make his long-awaited return for Celtic on Sunday as Ange Postecoglou sensationally declared the striker fit.

The Hoops take on Rangers in a massive derby and hope to extend their lead at the top of the Premiership to six points.

Kyogo hasn't played since Boxing Day when a recurrence of a hamstring problem sidelined him after 15 minutes.

But Postecoglou says he is back fit for Sunday's derby, with the squad fully fit aside from James Forrest.

He said: “In terms of injury, everyone got through the international window well. The only one who’s not available for the weekend is James Forrest. He still has a bit of a niggle from his last game.

“Kyogo is obviously a fantastic player and he had a very good start to the season. It’s disappointing for him that the injury came along and has kept him out for quite a while.

“But we know the kind of impact he can make as a footballer and he’s already had a massive impact on our season.

Kyogo is back in time for Sunday's derby (SNS Group)

“Once he’s up and ready and out there again, I’m sure he’ll be looking to make a similar impact.”

Kyogo fired 16 goals in his 26 appearances for Celtic before injury ruled him out but is yet to feature in 2022.

Giorgos Giakoumakis and Daizen Maeda have picked up the slack in his absence and with those two both available, Postecoglou could be forgiven for having some caution with throwing Kyogo straight back in.

But he insists he has no fears about doing that as he told Sky Sports: "We'll assess it but whatever game we throw him in, it's going to be a big one.

"Every game between now and the end of the season is of massive consequence. He's worked hard in training and on his rehab.

"He was sensational in the first half of the year and he's ready to go.

"It's just now a matter of me picking the right moment for him."

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