Kyogo Furuhashi had a difficult decision to make in January.
The Japan international quickly became a fan favourite when he joined nearly four years ago, scoring goals for fun.
However, after racking up 85 goals and 19 assists in 165 games for the Bhoys, he made it clear to Brendan Rodgers that he wanted to move on.
Rodgers confirmed Kyogo had expressed his desires months before the January transfer window, and that the forward’s feelings only grew stronger about a possible departure.
So when Rennes came in for him in January, Celtic didn’t have much choice but to accept the offer.
It was therefore up to the 30-year-old to decide if the move was right for him; leaving a team he’d been prolific for to go to a brand new league with brand new challenges.
He decided to make the move, and on current evidence it could definitely be argued it was the wrong decision for him.
Celtic club legend Peter Grant sent a strong message to Kyogo Furuhashi after the move went through.
Kyogo Furuhashi is left out of the Rennes matchday squad entirely
Kyogo Furuhashi’s time at his new club, Rennes, has been incredibly difficult and it just got even worse.
The Japanese forward has now been left out of the Ligue 1 club’s matchday squad entirely for their derby match against Nantes.
It’s the first time he’s been left out in the cold for the club, who he’s made just six appearances for since leaving Celtic.
Despite manager Habib Beye’s positive view on Kyogo’s situation at Rennes, actions speak louder than words and something is clearly not working for the striker.
The 30-year-old has started just one game and is yet to score, with the £10 million fee currently looking better for Celtic than for Rennes.
The French club are desperately trying to save their season and secure a top half finish. Currently lying in 11th, they’re seven points behind Lens in 9th with just seven games to go.
Ouest France confirmed that of the two players Rennes are missing through injury, Kyogo isn’t one of them and therefore he’s been left out for tactical reasons.
Chances of Kyogo Furuhashi returning to Celtic after Rennes nightmare
Despite leaving the club fairly abruptly, Kyogo Furuhashi is still viewed fondly by Celtic fans.
Therefore, with his struggles in France, his return to Glasgow is frequently brought up by supporters.
However, Football Insider reported that although a deal could happen, it’d take ‘ideal circumstances’ in order for it to happen.
They claimed that Celtic and Brendan Rodgers have ‘effectively moved on’ from Kyogo, especially having spent a similar fee to the one they received for the striker on bringing Jota back to Celtic Park from Rennes.
It’s also clear that the Japanese striker wanted to move on from Celtic and it’s doubtful that he would be open to returning to the club – even after a torrid time in France.
Rennes also aren’t under any great pressure to sell, with the Jota transfer netting them £8m therefore nearly recouping the Kyogo outlay.
More widely, the French club are still in the green after a busy summer transfer window saw them sell players like Desire Doue and Enzo Le Fee for big money.
From the Celtic side of things, the Bhoys have also seen Daizen Maeda thrive after Kyogo’s departure. It could cause more issues than fix problems were Kyogo to return.
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