Remember Shin Yamada, Celtic fans? If some of you don’t, then it’s understandable because it has been a nightmare for all involved.
Back in the summer, Celtic fans were hoping the powers that be at Parkhead would fill the squad with real quality, including bringing in goals to push for Champions League football.
Instead, the champions of Scotland backed Brendan Rodgers by signing Shin Yamada from Kawasaki Frontale for just under £2 million, and now that very same player is heading towards possible relegation to Germany’s third tier.
Celtic loaned Yamada out to Preussen Munster in January, but he hasn’t even been making the matchday squad in recent weeks. His current situation was defended by the club’s sporting director, Jan Uphues.
“Shin hasn’t had as many opportunities as he would have wanted recently,” stated Uphues.
“But I am certain he will get his chance in the remaining five matches in Bundesliga 2.”
Was Shin Yamada unfairly treated at Celtic?
Preussen Munster’s sports director Jan Uphues defends Shin Yamada
Listen, of course, Preussen Munster’s sports director is going to defend Yamada. He played a part in bringing the Japanese star to the club.
Yet Preussen Munster, who sit at the bottom of Bundesliga 2, are heading down, and their new signing, never mind not scoring, can’t even make the matchday squad.
It’s like Kyogo at Rennes all over again, but at least the treble-winning Celtic hero had a reputation, and he could fall back on that.
This is Yamada’s first foray into European football, after only starting his professional career two years ago, and it has gone much worse than he would have wanted.
“We had to act back then because we had a lot of injuries,” said Uphues, as quoted by Herald Scotland.
“Fortunately, everyone is healthy again now, which has created more competition within the squad.
“Shin hasn’t had as many opportunities as he would have wanted recently, but I am certain he will get his chance in the remaining five matches in Bundesliga 2.”
Yamada’s time at Preussen Munster in numbers
Celtic have a lot of deadwood to shift in the summer, and Yamada will be one of them. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he moved back to Japan.
The only positive from Yamada’s loan spell in Germany is that Preussen Munster were in a mess and relegation fight when he arrived, and there are bigger reasons why they will, most likely, go down.
Plus, this is a loan deal and not a permanent signing. He’s probably glad that he is only there temporarily because, despite suggestions he could return to the matchday squad; you wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t kick a ball again this season.
- Games: 5
- Starts: 1
- Off the bench: 4
- Unused substitute: 2
- Not in the matchday squad: 3
- Total minutes: 105
- Goals: 0
- Assists: 0
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