Kyogo, icon who made Scotland a better place

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This impact Kyogo made on Celtic is difficult to overestimate.  He cost three times more than any of our other recent players from Japan and established his credentials a week after touching down in Scotland.  In August 2021, Celtic were trophyless and at their lowest point this century.

Kyogo was the spark that ignited the club.  His perpetual motion, enthusiasm, selflessness and his goals, mostly his goals, gave us cause to hope for the future.  He also gave us 8 out of 10 trophies contested during his time in Glasgow.

His first virtuoso performance delivered a hattrick against Dundee.  We thought we were onto something special, but dare not dream of the levels he delivered.  Kyogo enjoys a big game and took special delight in scoring against Newco.  Including an incredible seven goals in 2023.  He terrorised them at Celtic Park, Hampden and Ibrox.

With him on the field, you could be playing badly, but knew something special could happen at any moment.  His hattrick of disallowed goals against Young Boys on Wednesday apparently bookends his time as an active Celtic icon.  His inactive icon status will last decades, though.

Without doubt, he is the best since Henrik Larsson – the only appropriate reference point.  We waited 20 years between the departure of Kenny Dalglish and Larsson’s arrival.  The 17 years between Henrik and Kyogo were filled with some great Celtic strikers, but none possessed the sheer magic of Kyogo.

It wasn’t just his play.  The man picked up litter, comforted injured opponents and wherever he went, made Scotland a better place.  I cannot see someone throw litter away without contrasting them to our hero.  He was an example of how to work hard and live your life.  And there was that smile.

I have been preaching Asset Management here for decades.  ‘Manage your assets or fail to manage your assets’.  Fans like you and I have sporting heroes, but Michael Nicholson’s job (as well as being a fan) is to manage our assets.  A reported fee of £10m for a player who turned 30 this month and had a significantly less effective 2024 than 2023 is Tier One asset management.

I only hope we do not backfill with one of Brendan’s agent pals’ players, or someone he watched a while back but is now out of favour in the English Championship.

Best of luck to Kyogo in France.  Despite his horrendous performance last night Jack Butland will be a happy man today.

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  1. If the game goes ahead , will whoever is on the arsenal jet heading to Glasgow give a wave to the crowd… ?

  2. It’ll give the players a rest – well ahead in the league, great performance in the CL (unbelievable qualifying!) and we’ve had a helluva schedule.

  3. I’ve decided the pub is the place to be yes I will be home after the match darling.

     

     

     

    🤣 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺

  4. Great news.No chance of injuries,a much needed rest,and Villa not playing till tomorrow,another bonus.A wee aside.Huns at Tannadice tomorrow.No way a cert to win.

     

    No brainer putting the game off.All eyes on Wednesday now.

  5. “TURKEYBHOY on 25TH JANUARY 2025 10:39 AM

     

    Anyone looking for a game to watch,and has access,Bournmouth v Forest should be a belter.”

     

     

    You`ve convinced me…..a tenner on at 9/1 for 0-0.

     

     

    :-)))))

  6. For the older brigade.

     

    Dundee v Celtic SC Feb 23rd 1966 *Celts won 2-1.

     

    Game was postponed on the Saturday as Scotland was hit by snow blizzards.Still have the photo from Celtic View Falls Road CSC outside Celtic Park.

  7. Celtic,the spfl need to get together and lay down rules in the event red warnings

     

    I know of folk travelling from ireland who found out on the boat over(Dena) only to about turn at Cairnryan

     

    A rule should be in place,on red warnings,that if game is not playable night before at 6pm then it is off.

     

    We should plan for these eventualities,the risk to life is to great,a bit of pre planning and risk assessment on red warnings should be a base need.

     

     

    HH

  8. …..should have added…included in said photo friends from Linwood .Anyone with interest who would like a copy.

  9. After a hard fought victory on Wednesday, it is probably quite good that today`s game has been cancelled ( but not, of course, for those who have already made the journey).

     

    Obviously, we will now play on an otherwise free Wednesday but our run of fixtures is not bad:

     

    Wed: Villa Away;

     

    Sunday `well Away;

     

    Wed: Dundee Home;

     

    Sat Raith Rovers Home;

     

    Sat. Dundee Utd Home.

  10. BADA BING

     

    Yes…which prompted me to post that yarn about Celtic fans from Belfast and Linwood outside Celtic Park February 1966.

  11. lets all do the huddle on

    its a difficult one. we werent under a red warning at 6pm yesterday and the travel situation wouldnt have changed whether the storm had caused damage or not. had there been no damage, there wouldnt have been any statement from celtic so we would have been like all the other games today, and the travel situation would have been the same.

     

     

    and no real way of getting a good look at the stadium until daylight this morning which isnt until about 8am at this time of the year.

     

     

    on balance i would have said call it off yesterday as soon as there was talk of the stadium damage.

  12. Donegal/Derry bhoys left at 4.30 this morning their ferry had already arrived at Cairnryan by the time the match was postponed, managed to get back on the 12 noon ferry back.

     

    That will be a silent coach journey home!

  13. Mcphail Bhoy

     

    It would be a lovely gesture if Celtic recompensed them in some way ,

     

    Maybe pay for the coach for the next game .HH

  14. “FANADPATRIOT on 25TH JANUARY 2025 11:40 AM

     

    Mcphail Bhoy

     

    It would be a lovely gesture if Celtic recompensed them in some way ,

     

    Maybe pay for the coach for the next game .HH”

     

     

    I agree.If it`s not something which happens very often , Celtic wouldn`t have to worry about setting a precedent.

     

     

    Cheerio for now.

  15. LUCKY CODY on 25TH JANUARY 2025 9:16 AM

     

    —————/

     

    Yes it would have been great to have had a deal done already for a striker. However you know as well as me that it is usually in the final days of the window when things happen – however it is heartening that the Jota and KT deals seem to be on-track.

     

     

    I’m hoping that all will be finalised by Friday HH

  16. Fanadpatriot/Hot Smoked

     

     

    Yes couldn’t agree more. I know the Donegal Association have told people they will either get a refund or next match at no cost but that’s not a Celtic initiative

  17. HOT SMOKED on 25TH JANUARY 2025 11:16 AM

     

    —————/

     

     

    Yes the unexpected rest day can be to our advantage, and, as you say, quite a favourable run of games thereafter.

     

     

    Thoughts with those who have set out and need to turn back – must be frustrating HH

  18. Should try and reimburse the guys travelling from Ireland, they won’t make the rearranged game

  19. lets all do the huddle on

    Blizzard in EK,Stewartfield gridlocked

     

     

     

    surely all the 4 wheel drive chelsea tractors in that area should be coping fine with a bit of snow

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