Kyogo explains why he played final for Celtic despite not being fit

Celtic had not won a single piece of silverware in the 2020/21 campaign and going into the Scottish League Cup final in December of last year, it is safe to say that Ange Postecoglou’s side would have known the importance of winning the game against Hibernian and ending the club’s dry spell of not winning a trophy. The biggest storyline heading into the match had been the fitness of Kyogo.

The Japanese star had picked up an injury earlier in the month in Celtic’s final Europa League group stage game against Real Betis.

And there were serious question marks over whether he would be fit in time to feature in the Scottish League Cup final. As it turns out, he was not 100 per cent for the game but decided to play anyway. And not only did he participate, but he scored two incredible goals as well to guide Celtic to the League Cup title and end their short but significant trophyless run.

Now, as reported by 67 Hail Hail, while speaking with Celtic View [print edition, 18/3/22, p.18] about why he decided to play on the day despite not being fully fit, Kyogo said:

"“I wasn’t 100 per cent going into the match after the injury but I just had to play.“I had to! I could not miss it.“I knew what an important match it was for us all and I wanted to be part of it and give as much as I could.“The atmosphere was so good and it was a joy to play out there in such a big match in front of a full crowd, it really was something special and one of the great moments of my career so far – but I hope, of course, there are some more days like this.”"

Kyogo has explained why he played in final for Celtic despite not being fit

It is safe to say that it turned out to be the right decision on the part of Kyogo, as he grabbed a brace on the day and wrote his name into the Celtic history books.

The first involved him getting a difficult pass under control with an incredible first touch before scoring past the Hibernian keeper. Somehow, the second turned out to be even better, as he lobbed the goalkeeper to score the League Cup winner.

Kyogo would end up picking up an injury a week later though and has been out of action since then. And Celtic fans will be hoping to see him back on the pitch as soon as possible.