I think it is fair to say that Celtic’s tour of Japan has certainly been a successful one. On the pitch, Brendan Rodgers got to see the team he inherited in the flesh against good opposition.
Yokohama F Marinos and Gamba Osaka provided the team with a good preseason test ahead of the next stage of our preparations for the upcoming new season.
The team got a very good workout against Yokohama and despite the 6-4 defeat, there were shining lights in the performances of Liel Abada, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate.
Against Gamba Osaka, we witnessed a more accomplished and measured performance as Celtic defeated the J League side 1-0. Again, Abada and Maeda shined with the captain, Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate also impressing the opposition players.
And today, Celtic took part in their final training session in Yokohama before they return to Glasgow later this week. In a tweet shared by the club, first-team stars such as Carl Starfelt and Matt O’Riley were being put through their paces alongside young fringe players Bosun Lawal and Ben Summers.
Celtic made a lot of friends on their tour of Japan. They captured the hearts and minds of the Japanese crowds as they interacted and posed for pictures with fans eager to get a glimpse of the Japan contingent in the Celtic team.
Celtic’s stock in the region has never been higher and you wouldn’t bet against another visit being set up in the future as the club look to continue to build roots in the region.
Next up for Brendan Rodgers’ side is the upcoming friendly against Wolves on Saturday in Dublin which will then be followed by James Forrest’s testimonial against Athletic Bilbao on the 1st of August.
After that, the real work begins as the defence of the title kicks off at home against Ross County in the early lunchtime kick-off of 12:30pm.
In other news, Pat Bonner says he’s urged Dermot Desmond to make ambitious Celtic move in Ireland
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