‘Open for business’ – Celtic told popular player could return, just like Jota and ……..
This summer, fans are eagerly anticipating the return of Kieran Tierney, who is set to rejoin his boyhood club, Celtic, after a six-year stint in the Premier League with Arsenal. The 27-year-old left Glasgow to make his name at the Emirates, and now, with his contract expiring at the end of this season, he will return to Celtic without any transfer fee attached.
The idea of returning to a former club is often met with mixed opinions. Some believe in the saying “never go back,” fearing that a second spell might tarnish the player’s legacy. However, Jota’s recent performances since his return to Celtic serve as a testament to the idea that sometimes returning can be a positive move. When the opportunity arises, and the door is open, it can be worth walking through it, as proven by Jota’s successful second stint.
But could Kieran Tierney be the only major player to make a return to Celtic this summer? There’s growing speculation that Kyogo Furuhashi, another fan favourite, might also find his way back to Glasgow. Kyogo’s departure to Rennes in France came as a surprise to many, especially considering the timing and the fact that Rennes is a club battling relegation in Ligue 1. While the move initially raised eyebrows, the idea of Kyogo returning to Celtic has been discussed more openly in recent weeks.
Football pundit Andy Walker recently weighed in on the possibility of Kyogo returning to Celtic. Speaking on Go Radio, he suggested that Celtic might be open to bringing him back. “Yeah, possibly,” Walker said when asked if Kyogo would have started in the derby against Rangers had he still been at the club. “He has been one of Celtic’s main strengths for the last number of months. Obviously, you have a £9 million player in Adam Idah, but you also have someone in Daizen Maeda, who has now shown that he is very capable of playing through the middle. If Kyogo was there for the derby, then you would start him.”
Walker also pointed out that Celtic’s approach to transfers would likely be pragmatic. “Would Celtic bring him back? They brought Jota back. They brought Kieran Tierney back. If they got a good business deal, I’m sure they would be open for business,” he said. One reason for Kyogo’s potential return could be his decision to leave for a larger salary, but Walker believes that Celtic might be able to match or even exceed his wages if they continue to play him regularly. With the summer transfer window approaching, the club’s business decisions will undoubtedly be influenced by both financial considerations and the input of their manager.
Kyogo’s departure from Celtic was seen as a major moment in the club’s recent history. His final match in a Celtic shirt was a crucial 1-0 victory over Young Boys in the Champions League, which secured Celtic’s place in the knockout stages. That win came just weeks after Celtic’s disappointing performance at Ibrox, where they lost to Rangers, but still maintained a strong lead at the top of the Premiership table—much like the situation now. Walker made it clear that Kyogo’s departure would not have happened if the Premiership title race had been closer. “I don’t think Kyogo would have been sold had there been a two or three-point gap,” he explained. “But, the gap was so big, that you can afford to do it.”
As the summer approaches and Celtic plans its next steps, the question remains: will the club make more moves to bring back former stars like Tierney and Kyogo? With a number of changes and new decisions on the horizon, the coming months will undoubtedly be crucial for both Celtic and its supporters. Whether or not Kyogo will rejoin the club is still to be determined, but one thing is clear: Celtic’s willingness to bring back key players could shape the future of the team.