Callum McGregor delivers his honest opinion on Kyogo’s impending Celtic transfer exit

Add as preferred source on Google

It’s set to be an emotional end to the transfer window for Celtic fans for a number of different reasons.

Arsenal outcast Kieran Tierney is poised to make his sensational Celtic return on a pre-contract agreement before the deadline on February 3.

While Jota is verging on his own Celtic comeback and could complete a stunning £9m switch from French side Rennes over the weekend, according to the Daily Mail.

Both signings would be heralded as massive coups given both were sold by the Bhoys for £25m each in 2019 for Tierney and 2023 for winger Jota.

With Tierney and Jota close, Celtic striker Kyogo is on his way out of the club. In fact, the Japanese hero will join Rennes for around £10m with snaps showing him entering a private jet out of Glasgow on Thursday.

Tributes from fans have already began to flood social media as they wait for the inevitable.

• READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano shares what Rennes have told him about Kyogo Furuhashi Celtic deal ‘today’

McGregor breaks silence on Kyogo to Rennes transfer

Captain Callum McGregor has shared a dressing room with Kyogo for three-and-a-half years and has witnessed first-hand the goal-scoring standards he has set at the club.

With his exit close to being sealed, McGregor has been quizzed on what Kyogo’s departure means for his legacy at Parkhead after the 30-year-old donned the green and white hoops for the final time against Young Boys.

McGregor told the press: “How will be be remembered? For big goals. Big games. A legend? A modern day legend, definitely. He has been so important for the team.

“Whatever the case is, I know the club will have done everything they can to keep him. But if that (win against Young Boys on Wednesday) is to be his last game or whatever, then he’s been outstanding.”

But McGregor wasn’t awash with sentimentality. He reminded reporters that the club will always remain as heroes come and go.

And he even went as far as saying Kyogo’s exit is likely to have been forgotten about in just a couple of weeks!

“The club’s always the one that’s here though, isn’t it?”, McGregor continued.

“Celtic create new heroes all the time. That’s something you’ve seen so many times here. Two weeks later, it’s practically forgotten about! There’s someone else in who comes in. I’m still here!”

McGregor once labelled Kyogo ‘special’

McGregor hasn’t just showered Kyogo with praise because the deadly Japanese hitman is on his way out of the club.

The skipper, back in April 2023 after Celtic overcame Rangers 3-2 in a classic Old Firm encounter, hailed Kyogo as “special” and a “superstar”.

It was Kyogo’s superb brace that day which sealed three points for the Hoops as McGregor, as per BBC Sport, said after the win: “He’s special. He did it in the cup final, he’s had another two on Saturday. The two finishes were just outstanding quality.

“That’s what you’ve got when you’ve got a superstar striker like that. You don’t have to play overly well.

“As long as he’s playing well and he’s finishing the chances, then he gives the team a massive boost and he’s very, very important player for us.”