Former Rangers striker, Kris Boyd, who has since turned Sky Sports pundit, has commented on Kyogo’s impending move to Rennes in Ligue 1, with the Ibrox cheerleader sending a warning to Celtic supporters.
Boyd often likes to criticise Celtic, whether it be refereeing decisions in favour of the Hoops or commenting on what Brendan Rodgers says in interviews. He has discussed how he feels that a profit made on the Japanese striker, who recently turned 30, may not be as positive as some see it.
Kyogo will be missed by Celtic supporters when he leaves, as since joining in 2021 under Ange Postecoglou, he has proven a revelation, winning 3 league titles, 2 Scottish Cups, and 3 Scottish League Cups in that time. His big goals in big games against Rangers have seen him heralded by some as the best Celtic striker since Henrik Larsson, which shows the high regard he has been held in during his time in Glasgow.
With Boyd himself a huge fan, he discussed what the move means for Celtic for the rest of the season and Kyogo’s career. With the Japanese striker recently celebrating his birthday, Boyd believes his age will have played a part in the move to Ligue 1.
Boyd said: (Sky Sports), “The one for me, and I think it would worry the Celtic fans, would be Kyogo leaving. He has been the difference in a lot of games this season, scoring big goals.
“I get the fact that he’s probably getting to the stage of his career where he wants to have that one big last move.
“For them to get £10 million is good business, but goalscorers are hard to come by, and Kyogo definitely falls into that category.”
Kyogo won’t be replaced like for like, but with Mathias Kvistgaarden reportedly lined up as a replacement if the Japanese striker were to leave, replacing a 30-year-old with a 22-year-old shows a long-term plan. Despite being 8 years Kyogo’s junior, Kvistgaarden is by no means unproven, with 18 goals and 11 assists in 39 games over the last two seasons in Denmark. He has shown why the Hoops are interested in a move.
For Kyogo, his Celtic legacy was already set ahead of this season, having secured the Premier Sports Cup, Champions League knockout playoff qualification, and with the Hoops 13 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership. In his last 6 months in Glasgow, he continued to contribute hugely with 12 goals in 32 games.
