Brendan Rodgers reveals Celtic stay beckons for Kyogo as 'nasty' head blow puts Japan duty off the agenda

Brendan Rodgers has confirmed Kyogo WON'T travel with Japan this international break after a nasty head knock against Aberdeen.

The striker had to be substituted in the second half of the 6-0 Premiership win after Slobodan Rubezic clattered into him. It left immediate concern on the faces of the home players and had medics rushing on, but the striker and defender both walked away from the incident. The latter received a yellow card.

It's been claimed that as he made his way off, Kyogo was left far from happy with the Aberdeen defender and snubbed a handshake. Speaking to Sky, Rodgers has confirmed that the forward won't join up with his national team for matches with Myanmar and Syria with focus on recovery now a primary objective. He said: "It wasn't great for him. It's a nasty blow. He won't travel to Japan, he'll stay here and recover. The medical team will just make sure he's OK.

When asked if he felt it was anything malicious from Rubezic, Rodgers added: "I haven't seen it back, I only saw it in real time. But it looked a really sore one."

Goals from Kyogo, Yang, Luis Palma, David Turnbull and a late Oh double sealed an emphatic day of Celtic work. And Rodgers had special praise for winger Yang after his first goal, while also providing an injury update after he also took a blow to the face.

He added: "He looks OK. He's got a blow just under his left eye, but he'll be fine I'm sure. You can see him developing all the time. His assurance in the game. When he first came he probably felt he always had to beat a man and lot the the ball too many time. Now the variety in his game is good."