KYOGO believes that Celtic can beat Real Madrid if they refuse to compromise on their principles and play the attacking football that Ange Postecoglou has instilled into his team since his arrival at the club.
The forward was delighted to be drawn against the Spanish giants and Champions League holders in the group stages of the competition this week, and while he acknowledges just how stiff a test they will represent to Celtic, he sees no reason why his side cannot upset Carlo Ancelotti’s superstars.
The key though for Kyogo is that he and his teammates fully believe in themselves and their style of play, and don’t compromise on their beliefs due to the standard of opposition.
“I think we can beat them,” Kyogo said. “We have to express on the pitch what we have been working on. Through the way we play we can beat any team so we just have to try and do it.
“There are a lot of equal opportunities for all teams in the Champions League. We just believe in our football, our play and we have good supporters, good staff and good team-mates. They are all supporting us so we will work hard to get a good result.
“I am looking forward to playing against them.”
The Japanese international is hoping that the step up in class when Celtic take on Real Madrid, RB Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk will provide a good gauge of where the team is collectively compared to such strong opponents, and what his current level is as an individual player.
“Last year we were champions and so I would like to see our performances now individually and collectively in the Champions League,” he said.
“We would like to show and express our best. We have time to grow up now. We will work hard to improve and become a better team and evolve until these games. “All the teams are very good and whatever group we got would have been ok for me, but to compete against Real Madrid, Leipzig and Shakhtar is a really nice group for me – I would like to play as soon as possible!
“This will be a good opportunity for the team and for me as well to grow up."
