CELTIC star Kyogo admits he wanted to cry after the standing ovation he received following his return from injury earlier this month.

The Celtic Park faithful gave the Japanese forward a rousing reception as he took to the field again as a second-half sub in the 7-0 victory over St Johnstone. 

The 27-year-old had been out with injury for four-months.

He scored 16-goals in the first section of the campaign, and instantly became a fans' favourite. 

The League Cup winning hero was without doubt a huge miss for Ange Postecoglou & Co, so to have him back was clearly something very exciting for the fans. 

And Kyogo has thanked them for making him feel so special. 

He told Celtic TV: "When I returned to the game it was a very, very nice atmosphere. Home game, full stadium, that made me really happy.

“I was happy warming up before going on the pitch, with fans received me with a big applause.

“I felt the love of everybody. I was almost crying because I felt really happy.

“The team was really good in that game, and I just wish I could have got a goal.”

The striker got on the scoresheet against Ross County on Sunday for the first time since 2021. 

And with a crunch derby against Rangers coming up this weekend, Kyogo is aiming for more. 

He said: "It was very nice to score the goal in that game. I have to thank Jota for the pass, I was just finishing the chance.

“I had other opportunities I should have taken and I should have scored. So, I still have a lot of objectives to overcome.

“I think I can still grow as a footballer and make my quality of play better.

“Yes, I want to make my mark on this game (Rangers). We want the result for the next game and the most important thing is victory.

“I will work hard and I would like to have opportunities to score goals.

“But again, the most important thing is to make the team have a victory. As a striker, I would like to contribute to a victory.”