Brendan Rodgers speaks about Kyogo’s exit after season conclusion, and what the players ‘understand’

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The dust is now starting to settle after another drama-filled campaign for Celtic.

It started with Kyogo Furuhashi scoring his usual goal for Celtic against Rangers during the 3-0 win of the first Glasgow derby of the season.

At that time, not one single supporter felt or would have predicted that Kyogo would be out of the door by the January transfer window.

But that’s what happened when Kyogo secured a surprise move to Rennes, and life has proven to be a nightmare for the Japan star.

Following the conclusion of the season and Celtic becoming champions again, Rodgers sat down with Sky Sports to discuss the campaign.

And the name of Kyogo was brought up.

• READ MORE: Celtic transfer news latest as Aberdeen make Ross Doohan announcement amid Kyogo update

Brendan Rodgers shares Kyogo Furuhashi’s frame of mind before leaving

It seems as though Kyogo made it clear, months beforehand, that he wanted out, yet Rodgers shared that the striker’s frame of mind remained ‘focused’.

In a special Sky Sports programme, Celtic: Another Season in Paradise (30/05/25), the Irishman spoke about the situation.

“With Kyogo, it had been going on for a while,” stated Rodgers. “He kept his focus. He kept his professionalism.

“At the time for him, he wanted to leave, so he moved on.”

Rodgers states what players ‘understand’ when they sign for Celtic

Celtic’s recruitment has to be applauded because the club has a knack for bringing players in for next to nothing, and then selling them for big money.

On the topic of Kyogo’s exit, Rodgers explained how the players who come into the club ‘understand’ that they have the ‘opportunity’ to leave if they perform well, because there are more financially rewarding offers for them.

“Listen, Celtic’s an amazing club,” said Rodgers.

“A lot of the players come here on the understanding that the player trading model is an opportunity for them to come, play at this massive club. Win titles. Play in the Champions League, and then maybe have the possibility of going on.

“Not to a bigger club. But into a league that maybe is better for them financially.”