International recognition for our Japanese Bhoys is good and bad for Celtic.

Just the other day, we received news we’d been waiting for—confirmation about our Japanese striker’s status. But it came with a sting. Kyogo has been recalled to his national team, an outcome that’s great for him but worrisome for Celtic.

Their manager, after a rather vague explanation about why Kyogo was previously left out, has now reversed course and brought him back. Regular readers will know how I feel for Kyogo; I can’t imagine he doesn’t have something valuable to offer Japan. And yet, he’s frequently overlooked for reasons only their manager understands.

A happy Celtic player is a good Celtic player. I like it when our players feel settled and content, and I want to see Kyogo representing his country for exactly these reasons. It’s a tremendous honour for any player to play for their national team, but the Japanese hold a particular reverence for this. Being left out, understandably, would be quite a blow.

Let me be clear: Celtic is not to blame here, nor is Scottish football. Maeda plays regularly for Japan, which suggests this decision isn’t tied to the club he’s with or the league he’s in. Yet, I can’t help but sense the Japanese manager is a tad biased toward players in the so-called “top five” leagues. There’s some justification there, of course, but it’s a shame if it means overlooking talent in leagues outside that bubble.

I still believe—and always have—that it’s in everyone’s best interest for our players to be called up for their national teams. Beyond the personal satisfaction it gives them, it also shines a positive light on Celtic as a club that players from all over can see as a valuable destination.

Celtic should never be an obstacle to a player’s international ambitions, nor should the Scottish league. As Brendan Rodgers has rightly pointed out, you judge a player by their ability, not by the league or country where they play.

So on one hand, I’m delighted. This is a positive development, and it’s exactly what we wanted for Kyogo and the other players. Those of us who recognise the importance of our players getting these international opportunities are pleased.

But I understand that for some fans—and maybe a few within Celtic Park itself—this may not be such welcome news. If Kyogo travels halfway around the world just to sit on the bench, it will be hugely disappointing for everyone involved.

Look at what happened with Reo. He did exactly that during the last international break, and he came back not exactly exhausted, but clearly jaded. It took him time to get back to his best. We don’t want that for any of our players, and especially not Kyogo, who doesn’t deserve to be called up only to be sidelined once again.

From the club’s perspective, we don’t want a key player making that journey in the first place. The international break itself is already a major inconvenience, and the last thing we need is players travelling long distances, getting injured, and then returning in less than optimal form just as we’re heading into an intense period of fixtures. I would completely understand if Celtic are feeling a bit aggrieved over this sudden recall.

Many fans might be sharing that view, looking at this and thinking, “No, this is not what we wanted at all.” But to be fair, Kyogo’s never let these selections, or lack thereof, affect his performance at Celtic. He’s visibly committed on the pitch, enjoys the adulation from our supporters, and thrives in the role of a superstar at Parkhead.

Maybe he doesn’t need the approval of his countrymen to feel fulfilled.

Still, I’m pleased he’s back in the squad, and I hope he not only plays but plays well. If all goes well, he’ll continue to be a fixture for Japan. But there’s a part of me that’s apprehensive. After all, the better he, Maeda, and Hatate perform, the more likely they’ll be called up at crucial times—potentially for competitions that take them away for weeks, if not months, when we might need them most.

The demands on players have been steadily growing, especially in recent years, and it’s a topic that’s widely debated. There’s a backlash from players themselves about the relentless schedule, and this trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down. The volume of international fixtures is expanding alongside the already packed club calendar.

So, yes, I’m pleased for Kyogo. Less so for Celtic. I just hope he has a productive trip and returns in good health, in peak condition, and mentally prepared for the big games in December. And I extend that hope to his fellow Japanese internationals and every Celtic player out on international duty. On balance, this is positive news.

But I also understand why some would feel differently.