Opinion: Will key Celtic star feature in Glasgow derby?

There has been an intriguing development when it comes to Kyogo’s availability to play for Celtic in next month’s Glasgow derby against Rangers.

The Glasgow Times reports comments made by the Japanese national team manager Hajime Moriyasu, disclosing that Kyogo is one of a number of players who won’t be called up for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers due to injury.

That could be mean that the striker could be available for the derby. However, there is no guarantee that he will feature for Celtic in the game on the 2nd of February.

In fact, it would probably be a bit of a surprise if he features in the game at all. The player is reportedly not going to feature in tonight’s game against Hibernian due to his ongoing hamstring issues. 

With having so many games in a short period, they will be wary about bringing the player back too soon. Thankfully, there are now options available for the Hoops, who weren’t available a month ago.

Giorgios Giakoumakis is fit according to Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou, and recent arrival Daizen Maeda could also be available for selection. Liel Abada can also play up front, so with those players in the squad you don’t need to speed back Kyogo from injury.

Celtic don’t need the player to suffer another hamstring injury. We saw what happened when he returned against St Johnstone, he got injured and is seemingly still unfit.

Of course, everyone at Celtic will want Kyogo available for the derby, especially as Tom Rogic will probably miss out on the game due to his own international call-up. 

However, perhaps with the players that are available in the squad, and with Jota set to return soon, then Celtic will be able to get positive results against Rangers and in the other games that Kyogo could miss due to injury. 

You have to think that with players returning to the squad, and with the new signings available, that Postecoglou would back the Hoops to beat Rangers even if Kyogo misses out.

When it comes down to it, if a prediction was to be made, then it seems unlikely that Kyogo will feature in the Glasgow derby, even if he is not selected for the Japanese squad.

Celtic are more than capable of still winning without Kyogo, but the Hoops boss will want him back in action sooner rather than later, as he has already shown this season just how good a player he is.

Unfortunately it might be a while before we see Kyogo starting another game for Celtic, but that could be best in the long run for the player.