Kyogo had never played domestic football outside of his homeland until Postecoglou tapped into his knowledge as a manager in Japan to raid Vissel Kobe and find a spearhead for his ultra-attacking style.
It was a perfect marriage of tactics and personnel, the Japan international’s clinical darting runs and six-yard-box finishing complementing deadly wing deliveries from international team-mate Daizen Maeda, Jota, or Liel Abada.
Kyogo was soon being hailed as Celtic’s best striker since the legendary Henrik Larsson as he led the charge towards three league titles, three League Cups and two Scottish Cups.
Some of his 85 goals were particularly crucial, rising to the big occasion as he netted eight times in 17 Old Firm derbies, contributed trophy-winning braces in successive League Cup finals and scored eight times in 28 appearances in European competition.
Yet now embattled Postecoglou’s departure to Tottenham Hotspur – and Rodgers’ arrival – signalled a less fruitful time individually for Kyogo, who was also to fall out of favour at international level.
From a high of 27 league goals – an average of a goal per game – during his second season at Celtic Park, his total dropped to half that in his first season under Rodgers as he adapted to the Northern Irishman’s slightly more pragmatic style.
His 19 goals that season in all competitions was equalled by a midfielder – Matt O’Riley, later to be sold to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Kygo has found the net 10 times in the Premiership this season and, although that was an improved rate of 0.7 per game and his assist rate has also increased in the past two seasons, he never looked quite as effective, or comfortable, under Rodgers.
As former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner told BBC Scotland: “After Ange Postecoglou, you could see a difference in the way Kyogo responded.
“When he first came here, he lit up the place – I’ve not seen many strikers with his movement. When the change was made, his head went down, you could see the frustration on the pitch.”
Bonner thought Kyogo’s form returned after “Celtic started to play with a mix of Ange Postecoglou, more on the front foot, more passing forward”.
However, it was no surprise to learn last week from Rodgers himself that the 30-year-old had expressed some months ago his desire to move on – and Kyogo explained to Rennes’ website that he wanted to test himself in a more competitive European league.
With a move in the offing, Kyogo nearly finished his Celtic career with a flourish – three disallowed first-half goals in the Champions League win over Young Boys reminding all at Celtic Park what they once had, and did not quite have in the past two years.
