April 2, 2025

The frontman has endured a difficult start to life in France since leaving Glasgow in January

Kyogo’s nightmare switch to Rennes continued on Sunday night after the fallen striker was handed a stoppage-time cameo.

The Japanese goalscorer quit Celtic for the French club in January but the £10million move hasn’t worked out.

Kyogo has made just one start in five appearances and has yet to break his goal duck for the Ligue 1 strugglers.

The man who signed him, Jorge Sampaoli, was sacked just days after Kyogo sealed his switch to Roazhon Park and replaced by Habib Beye.

And it’s clear the new manager doesn’t fancy Kyogo, having managed just 113 minutes of action in two months under the Frenchman.

Kyogo’s frustrations continued on Sunday night as the sub was thrown on with 90+1 minutes on the clock as Rennes ran out 3-0 winners away to Angers.

Although Kyogo barely touched the ball, the victory did move Rennes eight points clear of the drop zone heading into the final weeks of the campaign.

Boss Beye said: “There are seven matches left to play and 21 points to take, I don’t think we’re 21 points away from 16th in Ligue 1.

I want my players, the club, the whole context to keep a lot of passion over the last seven matches, with the desire to win them. And I will be uncompromising on that, because when you give comfort, you are punished.

“That’s what I told them in the talk: where we were (when I arrived), we looked at each other every day with a hint of fear and dread, and we must not let this match put us back in that situation.

While Kyogo may wish he could turn the clock back, it’s clear the 30-year-old still has a strong affection for Celtic.

The former fans’ favourite – who scored 85 goals in 165 appearances for the Hoops – took part in a Q&A with the official Ligue 1 media team.

Kyogo was asked about his favourite past and present Japanese players, including Real Sociedad sensation Take Kubo and ex-Manchester United playmaker Shinji Kagawa.

But he nailed his colours to the mast when Shunsuke Nakamura’s name entered the fray – picking the ex-Parkhead hero as the best of all time. You can watch the video above.

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