Emotional Kyogo has told Celtic supporters how much they mean to him and how their backing helped him during his biggest challenge.
The Parkhead hero is the subject of a new FIFA documentary about players plying their trade abroad and the 28–year-old has opened up on his biggest moments in Glasgow's east end. And he pulled no punches over the battle he faced following the serious hamstring injury which kept him sidelined for over three months last season – just days after his thrilling exploits to sink Hibs and win the League Cup for Celtic.
Speaking to FIFA, he said: “There’s not much you can do after the fact. The period I was unable to play was really hard but beginning with the coach, the rest of the team told me to stick around the club. Everyone on the team said ‘hurry up and come back’. It really meant a lot and became motivation to work hard and come back as soon as possible."
And Kyogo admits all the sacrifices to return boiled over in April 2022 against St Johnstone as he was treated to a rockstar ovation by his adoring public as admits the moment meant everything. He added: “I just wanted to play football again. I wanted to be out there with the others and score goals, first and foremost. I realised more than ever that I had been playing with an incredible group of players and surrounded by the most incredible supporters.
"I came on as a substitute, but the level of warmth almost brought tears to my eyes. To feel the love of so many people. I was really happy in that moment."
And Ange Postecoglou, who also features on the documentary, admits the challenge for players in a foreign land is more pronounced when they are on the sidelines. The Celtic boss added: “That was the toughest bit. For all players I guess it’s tough, but particularly for somebody like Kyogo, because foreign players obviously don’t have family or too much of a network here to rely upon, so we had to make sure we provided support for him.”
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