Odin Thiago Holm is closing in on making his first-ever Celtic appearance this summer after being spotted training with the first team in Osaka on Friday.
Brendan Rodgers’ side were put through their paces at the 40,000-capacity Panasonic Stadium Suita, home of Saturday morning’s J-League opponents Gamba Osaka.
The club posted training images from the session to the official website, with Holm included in a group session.
After signing from Valerenga earlier in the window, the Norwegian talent has so far been entirely absent from all of Celtic’s previous friendly matches against Portimonense and Yokohama F.Marinos, not even appearing from the bench.
However, having trained with the squad this week, he could be included in the squad that faces off against Gamba Osaka tomorrow morning at 11am, UK time.
The Japanese team will again pose a tough test for the Bhoys, currently being in the middle of their competitive league season just like Yokohama F.Marinos.
Gamba are at least a distance away from Yokohama FM in the table, sitting in 13th position and a full 17 points behind the outfit that beat the Bhoys 6-4 on Wednesday.
Even if Holm doesn’t make it onto the bench or into the starting eleven this weekend, more opportunities to feature will come thick and fast over the next few weeks.
Celtic head to Dublin next weekend after a few days of training at Lennoxtown, while Athletic Bilbao will be visitors to Celtic Park the following mid-week.
Then it’s the start of the competitive stuff with a Flag Day at home to Ross County in the Scottish Premiership. We aren’t far away from the new season and seeing the new Bhoys in action.
In other news, Greg Taylor left “buzzing” with what he’s heard from Brendan Rodgers so far; Celtic squad morale.
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