Ange Postecoglou has shut down talk Kyogo ’s season is over and revealed Christopher Jullien’s injury hell is finally finished.
The Celtic boss admitted the Japanese striker is facing months out but he rubbished rumours the fans’ favourite has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign.
Kyogo, who may require surgery on the problem, played through the pain barrier to help Celts win the Premier Sports Cup last month but picked up further damage in the win against St Johnstone before the winter break.
Postecoglou has drafted in Daizen Maeda and has Gio Giakoumakis fit again – and Jullien is set to end 13 months absence against Alloa in the Scottish Cup on Saturday night.
The Hoops gaffer is gutted about Kyogo but said: “He’s not out for the rest of the season. I can assure you of that.
“Kyogo’s injury is more significant than we were hoping it would be and he will be out for a number of weeks.
“It’s not going to be a quick return.
“I don’t know how long and I don’t want to put a timeframe on it.
“Mainly because of Kyogo himself, plus we are still getting him assessed and we need it to settle before we get a definitive answer on it.
“But he will be out for a number of weeks and that is disappointing for us and also Kyogo.
“He loves playing for this club and he can’t wait to be back out there.
“Kyogo is really disappointed and I feel for him because he put his body on the line for us.
“To be fair to him, he wasn’t 100 per cent for the cup final but he scored two goals and helped us win it.
“That is testament to him as a player and a character.
“A lot of people would have taken a different option, so I am gutted for him.
“Kyogo did all he could for this football club and I am hoping that because he got the rewards for that cup final performance, it’s enough to sustain him through this period out.
“He deserves to come back better than ever and he will.
“Kyogo is that type. Whatever timeframe is put on his recovery, he will beat it.
“He is such a determined person and he loves playing for Celtic.
“The fact he can’t go out and perform is hurting him but we will provide him with support.
“I am sure whatever recovery time is needed, he will do his best to be back as soon as possible.”
Postecoglou snapped up £1.5m midfielder Matt O’Riley this week and he is confident he has the strike options to cope with the Kyogo loss.
He said: “We have already brought in Daizen and Giakoumakis is also fit now.
“It feels like we have two new players.
“To be fair to Giakoumakis, he was a victim of us having to do things in a rush in the summer.
“He missed pre-season, he came in late, and then picked up a couple of injuries.
“I feel we have bolstered our frontline with two new players, so I am comfortable with that area.
“There is nothing in the pipeline. We aren’t talking to anyone at the moment.
“But there are still ten days to go and we just have to stay alert and agile.
“I am just keeping Michael on his toes!
“Until the transfer window closes, I won’t rule anything out.”
Postecoglou will lose Tom Rogic for the Old Firm class on February 2 after his Australia call up and he’s sweating on Japan summoning Maeda and Reo Hatate.
He said: “We are awaiting official confirmation but they will both be in the frame...thanks to you blokes in the media!
“Their good performances against Hibs got publicised in Japan.
“It would nice if you started writing they had shockers! We will wait and see what the squad is.”
Postecoglou admitted Jullien’s return is a major boost though after the Frenchman battled back from a brutal knee injury suffered in December 2020.
He said: “He’s been training well since the restart and doing everything with the team.
“He is obviously not ready to play 90 minutes at the level he wants to, more than anything else, but he will get in over the next few weeks.
“There is a good chance he will be involved against Alloa.”
