Kyogo’s Fall from Grace and the Summer Dilemma for Celtic’s Japanese Stars

Kyogo’s Fall from Grace and the Summer Dilemma for Celtic’s Japanese Stars

Kyogo Furuhashi’s rise and subsequent fall from grace in France serve as a cautionary tale for Celtic’s Japanese stars Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda as the summer transfer window approaches. As both players have enjoyed stellar campaigns, speculation around their future at Celtic Park has intensified, with clubs from across Europe monitoring their progress. For fans of the Scottish champions, the idea of losing these fan favourites is a bitter pill to swallow, yet as the Kyogo saga reveals, sentimentality often takes a back seat to footballing ambition and financial gain.

Kyogo, who became a key figure at Celtic after joining the club in 2021, found his career take an unexpected turn earlier this year. After four highly successful seasons, which included multiple trophy wins and pivotal performances, Kyogo made the shocking decision to leave the Hoops for Rennes in France, in a move that reportedly cost the Ligue 1 club £10 million. However, just months into his new chapter, the Japanese striker has found himself frozen out of the first team. His struggle to adapt to life in France serves as a harsh reminder that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

Kyogo’s plight has left many Celtic fans questioning whether their beloved Japanese trio—Kyogo, Hatate, and Maeda—might find themselves in similar situations if they too decide to pursue moves to bigger European leagues. While Kyogo’s ambition and financial rewards were likely a big draw, the reality of life away from Scotland has not been kind to him. His current predicament serves as a sobering reminder for his compatriots that, despite the allure of bigger leagues, the transition is not always as smooth as it might seem.

With Celtic already bracing for serious interest in Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda this summer, the question remains whether they will follow in Kyogo’s footsteps or commit to their current path. For both Hatate and Maeda, the lure of top-tier European football, along with the chance to further their international careers, could be hard to resist. However, Celtic’s leadership, under Brendan Rodgers, is undoubtedly aware of the importance of locking these two down to long-term deals, thus ensuring they don’t follow Kyogo out of the door.

The Challenge of Retaining Celtic’s Japanese Trio

The prospect of losing all three Japanese stars would undoubtedly be a painful one for Celtic. Kyogo’s departure has already caused a stir among the club’s faithful, who were shocked by the mid-season exit of one of their most beloved players. However, from a footballing and financial perspective, his departure was understandable. At 29, Kyogo had reached the stage of his career where the pull of a new challenge and the promise of greater financial rewards was too enticing to ignore.

For both Hatate and Maeda, the situation is slightly different. While Kyogo’s move was a decision driven by ambition and opportunity, Hatate and Maeda are still relatively young, with plenty of football ahead of them. However, the clock is ticking for Hatate, who at 27 is approaching the peak years of his career. The midfielder, who has been instrumental for Celtic since his arrival from Japan, has made no secret of his desire to play in one of Europe’s top five leagues. His performances for Celtic, particularly in the UEFA competitions, have caught the attention of clubs from across the continent, with Serie A side Udinese reportedly weighing up a significant offer for his services.

From Celtic’s point of view, retaining Hatate is essential to their hopes of continuing their domestic dominance and making an impact on the European stage. Brendan Rodgers, who has overseen a resurgence at Celtic Park since his return, would be loath to lose a player of Hatate’s class and versatility. Hatate’s ability to dictate the tempo of the game and his technical prowess in midfield have made him one of the most highly sought-after players in the squad.

For Maeda, the situation is somewhat different. While the 26-year-old’s relentless work ethic and tireless pressing game have made him a fan favourite at Celtic Park, his future is also up in the air. Maeda’s contribution to the team cannot be overstated, as his non-stop energy and ability to get in behind opposition defences have made him a key player for Rodgers’ high-pressing system. Despite his importance to the team, Maeda finds himself in a similar position to Hatate, with two years left on his current contract and the potential for a lucrative offer elsewhere.

While Maeda has expressed his happiness at Celtic, where he has settled well with his family, the reality is that a move to a bigger league could be financially transformative for the forward. Maeda’s current contract will likely be the last major one of his career, and the prospect of more money and the chance to play at a higher level will surely be tempting. However, much like Hatate, the decision will not be an easy one. Celtic will be keen to keep hold of their Japanese star, with Rodgers likely seeing him as a key figure for the foreseeable future.

The Business Side of Celtic’s Decisions

From a financial perspective, Celtic would be wise to cash in on their Japanese stars while their market value is high. Hatate and Maeda are both in their prime, and their performances have only increased their stock. Celtic, as a business, will have to weigh the financial benefits of selling these players against the sporting consequences of losing key figures in their pursuit of more domestic titles and European glory.

Celtic’s board will also need to consider the fact that, unlike Kyogo, who left in the middle of the season, Hatate and Maeda are still in contract and could provide a return on investment that makes financial sense for the club. It is also important to remember that Celtic has been known to sell at the right price, with previous high-profile departures, such as Moussa Dembélé, bringing significant profits. However, the club must balance these considerations with the desire to maintain the strength of their squad, which is already facing increasing pressure from challengers in both domestic and European competitions.

The potential sale of Hatate or Maeda could also raise questions about Celtic’s strategy for recruitment and their ability to replace such talented players. The board and manager would have to ensure that any departures are replaced with similar quality, something that has been a hallmark of Celtic’s recent success. Given their track record in scouting and signing players from Japan and other markets, it is possible that Celtic would be able to replace Hatate and Maeda with players of a similar standard, although finding their exact replacements will not be easy.

The Role of Brendan Rodgers

For Brendan Rodgers, the situation is clear. While he would undoubtedly love to keep hold of both Hatate and Maeda, the reality is that modern football is driven by financial and personal ambitions. Rodgers, who has always had a good relationship with his players, will be well aware that his Japanese duo may ultimately decide to seek new challenges, just as Kyogo did before them. However, Rodgers will also recognise the importance of ensuring that any potential departure is handled in a way that maintains the integrity and competitiveness of the squad.

Rodgers’ tactical approach has been built around the high pressing game that has brought Celtic success both domestically and in Europe. Players like Maeda, with his relentless running, and Hatate, with his creativity in midfield, are key to this strategy. Losing both players would force Rodgers to rethink his tactics and potentially seek replacements who can fill the roles that have been so effective in the team’s success. The manager’s ability to adapt and replace key players will be crucial as Celtic look to maintain their position as the dominant force in Scottish football.

The Emotional Impact on the Celtic Fans

For Celtic fans, the potential departures of Hatate and Maeda would be an emotional blow. These players have become symbols of the club’s success in recent years, and their contributions to the team’s triumphs have endeared them to the supporters. The prospect of losing them, particularly in the same window as Kyogo’s departure, would signal the end of an era for Celtic’s Japanese contingent. However, football is a business, and the emotional attachment to players is often secondary to the realities of contracts and financial considerations.

The fans’ emotional connection to players like Hatate and Maeda is a reflection of the bond that has been formed between the supporters and the Japanese players over the years. If these players do decide to move on, their departure will be met with sadness, but also with respect for what they have given to the club. It will be up to Celtic’s board and manager to ensure that the team remains strong and competitive, even if key figures like Hatate and Maeda leave.

Conclusion

As the summer transfer window looms, Celtic faces a significant challenge in retaining their Japanese stars. Kyogo’s departure has shown that footballing ambition, financial incentives, and the desire for new challenges often outweigh sentimentality. Whether Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda follow in Kyogo’s footsteps or choose to commit their futures to Celtic remains to be seen. Celtic’s management will have to navigate these difficult decisions, balancing the desires of the players with the needs of the club. In the end, the future of Celtic’s Japanese contingent will depend on the choices made by the players themselves and the offers they receive from clubs across Europe. For now, Celtic fans can only hope that their cherished stars will continue to shine in Glasgow for years to come.