Ange Postecoglou seeks "some clarification" on welcome Celtic squad boost

By Euan Davidson

December 8, 2021

If something’s too good to be true, if often is, and that might be what’s happening with Kyogo, Japan, Celtic and Ange Postecoglou in the upcoming schedule.

As reported by my colleague Hamish yesterday, Kyogo wasn’t named in Hajime Moriyasu’s Japan squad to face Uzbekistan on the 21st of January. Somewhat surprising given his form, but it’s an opportunity for the Celtic star to rest.

Especially after a bruising December schedule. However, Ange Postecoglou isn’t entirely sure what’s happening with the Japan national team. Meanwhile, he pointed out the colossal amount of football Kyogo has played in this calendar year and beyond.

The Celtic boss said [Celtic FC]:

“There might need to be some clarification around those quotes, I think. I know [Moriyasu] has picked a squad for a couple of friendlies before that, I’m not sure if that’ll be the case for the actual qualifiers.

“If it is then yeah, it’ll be great. Because obviously they’re going to be missing some football. Kyogo is coming up to his 11th month of football now without a real break. Obviously we’re looking at January to give him a little time off. It’d be great if he can sort of come back with us and then finish the season strongly.

“We’re always monitoring him. To be fair to him, he’s really good at looking after himself off the field, presenting himself well.

“The whole national team thing is always going to be a challenge for us, especially this coming year with the calendar as it is.

“But we’ve coped with it in the past, and we’ll cope with whatever’s thrown at us in the future.”

Celtic and Japan star Kyogo earns righteous praise from Ange Postecoglou, he’s on an incredible run

Given that Kyogo joined Celtic having played half a season of football, there are advantages and disadvantages. From a fitness perspective, he was match sharp and ready to make an impact.

He did that exactly in his debut against Jablonec [BBC], and hasn’t really stopped.

An injury was inevitable, and he did indeed miss some action after picking up a knock on international duty. However, he returned quickly and has been an ever-present for Celtic ever since.

It’s a remarkable run of action for the diminutive Japanese striker.

Any chance for respite is a welcome one. There’s a winter break, but it’s sandwiched between two intense periods of fixture build-up.

Whether Kyogo just misses the one game for Japan is yet to be seen. Celtic fans would surely welcome the chance for the forward to have a spell to recoup.

Would Kyogo, though? Given the effort he puts in, it hardly seems likely.

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