The Japan international scored his first goal since August hours after turning his back on a Glasgow return

22:15, 10 Jan 2026Updated 22:26, 10 Jan 2026

Kyogo(Image: )

Emotional Kyogo banished his Birmingham City goal jinx after shunning Celtic to fight for his future with the Championship side.

The Japan international scored his first goal since August hours after turning his back on the chance to make a return to Glasgow.

Martin O’Neill confirmed it was “unlikely” the Japan international would be back – 12 months after leaving Parkhead in an £8.4million switch to Rennes.

Kyogo’s call to stick around at St Andrew’s instantly paid off as he netted in the Blues’ 3-2 FA Cup win over Cambridge.

Celtic are in desperate need of a striker and appeared ready to replace Kyogo with himself, amid their inability to find a No.9 since the man who scored 85 times in 165 games departed.

But the beaming Japan international is looking forward to it and he had a message to Birmingham fans after finally finding the net. He said: “Hi Blues fans, I’m glad that I scored. I’ll keep trying to help the team. Keep Right On.”

Brum boss Chris Davies praised the striker and set the former Hoops hero a challenge to kick on by ending his barren 25-game goalless streak in the Championship, with both strikes coming in Cup competitions.

Speaking after the win, Davies said: “He was really good tonight. The second goal is all about Kyogo. He made it for himself by chasing a lost cause, nicked it, and then a big touch out of his feet and took his goal well.

“You can see the reaction from all the players, himself, the fans, the staff, everyone. Everyone is chuffed for him and it meant a lot to him.”

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