Ange Postecoglou has hailed his Hampden goal hero as a fantastic player and also a great human being following the League Cup final victory over Hibernian on Sunday.

Kyogo had been an injury doubt ahead of the game, but the Japanese striker’s determination to play his part for the team saw him score both goals to bring the first silverware of the season back to Celtic Park, and take his personal goals tally this season to an impressive 16.

His manager was understandably delighted with the performance, and explained that Kyogo’s sole focus after picking up an injury earlier in the month against Real Betis was on ensuring he would be out on the Hampden pitch alongside his Celtic team-mates.

“He just had it in his head that he was going to play, no matter what anyone else told him,” the Hoops boss said. “From the moment he got injured he just thought he was going to be here on this day.

'He wasn’t 100 per cent and I was kind of hoping he would just play within himself but he’s a quality player and a person.'

“His movement is incredible but his composure in such a big game to finish in those ways, he’s just a top-class player.”

It was Hibs who took the lead early in the second half at Hampden through Paul Hanlon, but that goal was cancelled out immediately when Kyogo latched on to a ball from Callum McGregor and coolly slotted it home for the equaliser.

Then he provided a stunning winner, reacting quickest to a Tom Rogic free-kick over the top of the Hibs defence and lobbing the ball over the goalkeeper from the edge of the area to send the Celtic fans into ecstasy.

And his celebrations on the touchline with the manager, both after that stunning goal and then at full-time, illustrated the bond between the two men.

“I feel a responsibility with him because I am the one who brought him here,” Ange Postecoglou explained.

'When I took over here, Kyogo was always going to be my first pick because I had witnessed first-hand what sort of player he was.'

“You are bringing someone from the other side of the world and I don’t think anyone would have said he was a cast-iron guarantee to be a hit for a lot of people.

“I knew he would be a fantastic player and I had no doubt he would be successful, but it’s not just him, it’s with all of them. They put so much work into it.”

Manager: Kyogo is a quality player and a great human being