Kyogo admits he was close to packing in football before his career took off in 2016.
But the Celtic star is glad he powered through, because now he gets to play for a "special" club at Parkhead.
The Japan star is one of Ange Postecoglou 's key men after arriving from Vissel Kobe last summer.
He scored 20 goals in his debut season in Scotland despite missing a huge chunk of the campaign with injury.
Kyogo had some special moments including his hat-trick against Dundee and his Premier Sports Cup-winning double against Hibs.
His former team-mate Andres Iniesta told him what to expect and Kyogo admits the Barcelona hero was right when he told him how intimidating it would be.
But he insists there's "no feeling like" hitting the back of the net at Celtic Park.
He told Tokyo Weekender : “It’s a unique club with special fans. Getting those supporters off their feet when you hit the net; there’s no feeling like it. Before flying to Glasgow, Andres Iniesta told me about the atmosphere when he played against Celtic for Barcelona.
"He said it was intimidating and I can see why, as it can get very loud. My old clubs, FC Gifu and Vissel Kobe were great, but this is on another level.
"It’s hard to put into words what it means to be here.”
It's been a whirlwind rise for Kyogo who didn't make his professional debut until he was 22 years old.
And he admits he came close to packing it in altogether before FC Gifu gave him his chance.
“I was ready to give up," he added. "I’d been playing since I was five and did okay at student level. In my final year at university, I had trials at different teams but I couldn’t find a team.
"Fortunately, I had many supportive people around me, especially my parents who were brilliant. That helped me keep going and I eventually got my chance at Gifu.”
Kyogo credits Postecoglou for his firing form and says it was the Australian's confidence in him that convinced him to move to Parkhead.
He admits he's a tough taskmaster at times but wouldn't have him any other way.
He went on: “It gave me confidence knowing (Postecoglou) had watched me play and felt I was the right fit for his team.
"He’s a top-class coach and all the players here are benefiting from his ideas. Of course, there are times when he’s strict, but he’s also very complimentary when you do well. I think he strikes a good balance in that sense. I’ve got real respect for him.”
