Celtic targets Shin Yamada and Hayato Inamura both squared up to each other in the J League this morning.
News that Yamada is wanted by the Bhoys broke days after Celtic’s interest in Inamura first emerged.
Since then, both players have starred for Kawasaki Frontale and Albirex Niigata respectively but today was the first time both had faced each other as official Celtic targets.
And as Frontale ran out easy 3-1 winners, one of the Celtic targets remained on the bench as another put in a good performance despite being on the losing side.
Celtic target Hayato Inamura impresses as Shin Yamada remains benched in J League fixture
Hayato Inamura had a tough start to the game as the Niigata defender struggled to contain the Frontale attack.
And that came to the fore after Kawasaki took the lead in the 13th minute. However, as the game went on, Inamura’s performance improved despite going in at the break 2-0 down.
Frontale sealed the win on the 91st minute with a third but Niigata pulled one back in the 96th minute to end the game in a 3-1 defeat for the J League strugglers.
Unfortunately, Shin Yamada remained on the bench as Frontale controlled much of the game.
Hayato Inamura’s J League stats will impress Celtic supporters
Inamura was the second-best Niigata player on the park despite suffering a disappointing J League defeat and was rated at 6.7 according to SofaScore.
Here are the best of the central defenders’ stats:
- Minutes: 90
- Touches 123
- Accurate passes: 108/115 (94%)
- Long balls (accurate): 14 (11)
- Ground duels (won): 3 (1)
- Aerial duels (won): 2 (1)
- Clearances: 2
Niigata now slip into the relegation spots as Frontale sit just six points from the top of the J League.
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