Kyogo sees Celtic exit conjure startling career lifeline as 'decreased' minutes for Rennes misfit totally written off
The striker is back in the international picture for Japan - having been consistently overlooked during his time in Glasgow
Out of favour Kyogo admitted he was left frustrated at being snubbed by Japan during his time at Celtic.
But a move to Stade Rennes appears to have convinced boss Hajime Moriyasu to give him a second chance - despite making just three appearances for his new club since his £10million move.
The 30-year-old left the Scottish Premiership in the winter transfer window but struggled to make his mark under Habib Beye.
Kyogo has yet to score for his new club after bringing his prolific three-and-a-half years at Celtic to a close in January - with Beye opting to start 17-year-old Mohamed Kader Meite ahead of the frontman in the defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
But that hasn't put off Moriyasu - who recalled the striker for the first time since November 2024 and will give him the chance to earn just his second cap in two-and-a-half years.
He will join former Hoops teammates Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda in the squad for the World Cup qualification double header against Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
And despite his lack of minutes for Rennes, Moriyasu remained confident in his decision. He said: "As for Kyogo, we have confirmed that he is training well, even though his opportunities to play have decreased since his transfer.
"In terms of options for our preparations, Daizen Maeda and Keito Nakamura are both forwards on their own teams and have shown good performances, so I think we can fight to win with this member with various options."
During his time in the Premiership, Kyogo repeatedly missed out on international recognition - notably missing out on the squads for the 2022 World Cup and the Asian Cup.
Moriyasu has previously hinted at the levels of Scottish top flight as a reason for overlooking Kyogo - while including Hatate and Maeda - and stating that impressing in the Champions League would not be enough for the frontman to win a spot in the Samurai Blue set-up.
Since leaving Celtic, Kyogo has admitted he was left disappointed after being consistently overlooked: "It was really frustrating To be honest, I was really depressed and frustrated.
"The selected players were putting their bodies on the line for Japan, so I was just cheering them on."
Speaking before his last cap, he admitted he still to improve to win over the boss - with his sights set on the World Cup in 2026.: "I still have a lot to improve on in terms of the number of goals I score, and the national team has been in really good form, so I thought I had to be a player who could make a difference.
"Of course, I've been following the national team for a long time. I'd like to play the kind of football that the national team's Moriyasu plays and show my strengths. "I definitely want to go (to the World Cup)."
He now has seen his wish granted by the Japan boss in a surprise recall after struggling for form away from Parkhead - but can he win a place in Rennes' starting line-up and make a push for the tournament next summer?