Kyogo's development at Celtic has been applauded by Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu – but he hinted he'll continue to lean on domestic options rather than call up the Celtic star.
Kyogo has 28 goals for the season and will be hoping to smash the 30 barrier in the remainder of the campaign. They face Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-finals on Sunday and have five league games to play, knowing just one win will secure the league title after their rivals lost to Aberdeen last weekend. But despite Kyogo's formidable form firing the Hoops to within touching distance of a Treble, he's been left in the cold by his country.
Moriyasu omitted him for the World Cup and his squad for two friendlies in March and it was revealed this week he has no plans to visit Glasgow to watch Ange Postecoglou's team during his current tour of Europe...hinting the Parkhead star is not high on his list of priorities.
He has been to watch a game in England, two matches in Germany and will move to Spain next before returning next month. And while he's he's well aware of Kyogo's achievements after praising the goalscoring exploits of the Hoops hero, Cercle Brugge striker Ayase Ueda and Real Sociedad hitman Takefusa Kubo, he offered the caveat that platforming the J-League in his squads is his top priority.
He said: "I think what Kyogo, Ayase and Takefusa have done have been wonderful. Each of them have scored a lot of goals this season. What I enjoy is the fact that these three players all have such high aspirations and have continued to make progress with their clubs.
"I think that they are steadily showing us a new landscape for Japan and for the Japanese people. So, I'm very happy for them. At the same time, I think that the development and true value of Japanese football is also connected to their achievements.
"There is no doubt that they have their individual qualities, but the improvement of Japanese football has led to the players being able to perform well on the world stage. I think it's a testament to the rapid growth of the J-League too."
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