UPDATES FROM JAPANESE MEDIA ABOUT A KYOGO CELTIC RETURN
- BY LIAM CARRIGAN
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Regular readers will know that, when it comes to sports reporting anyway, I place far greater stock in what writers here in Japan have to say, than I do the likes of the Daily Record or The S*n when it comes to Celtic’s Japanese contingent.
And this brings me to the curious case of Kyogo, Celtic and the rampant speculation implying an imminent reunion between the two.
For once, Japanese media actually seems to largely align with what the Scottish football mainstream press have to say on the matter, and that adds a great deal of credibility in my book.
Japanese Media Wouldn’t Run Kyogo Celtic Link Story Unless it Had Mileage
Now, as I have been at great pains to emphasize a number of times on ACSOM, when it comes to the Japanese media, there are a couple of caveats. Occasionally you see reports that would appear to back up what the Daily Record et al are saying. However, reading beyond the headline will tell you that the source being quoted in the story is either “local press” or sometimes they’ll name the Record or The S*n directly.
In those cases, we can dismiss the story, at least until something more concrete emerges.
Thankfully, that’s not the case this time around. Both Sponichi, and Soccer King, two of the most widely read football news sites in Japan are carrying stories about the Kyogo move sourced not by simply parroting the Scottish or English press, but via their own sources.
The Soccer King story is particularly interesting as it was only published three hours ago, at time of writing (10am Celtic Park Time), and it says that negotiations are ongoing about a “Player Rental” deal between Birmingham and Celtic.
Sometimes when Japanese and English mix, we get funny phrases like this, but it simply means a loan deal. It also says that both parties are open to the deal possibly becoming permanent, but nothing has been agreed at this point.
Sponichi, for their part, published their last update 6 hours ago and said that “after initial reluctance, the player is now eager for the deal to happen.” They do however also highlight a report form the Daily Mail in which Birmingham boss Chris Davies appeared to pour cold water on the idea.
However, Davies was very careful with his choice of words. He said Kyogo is in his plans “For now” and that he sees him as a Birmingham City player “as things stand”.
Such phrasing affords him an easy get out if, as I suspect, this move goes through.
We could find out later today. If Kyogo is to play any part in tomorrow’s match, his registration will need to be formalized this afternoon.
An interesting next few hours lie ahead in any case.