Celtic fans have had doubts about recent rumours linking Hayato Inamura to the club this summer.
As Brendan Rodgers seeks a back-up for Kieran Tierney, it appears that the Celtic manager fancies Inamura as the man to come off the bench.
With Matthew Anderson, Mitchel Frame and Adam Montgomery, Rodgers has three Celtic youngsters he could call upon should Tierney need rested next season.
However, it appears that Inamura has caught Rodgers’ eye and after his stunning goal for Albirex Niigata in a 3-2 defeat to Avispa Fukuoka, it’s not hard to see why.
Hayato Inamura scores as Celtic rumours inspire a goal and assist in two fixtures
Prior to Inamura’s goal against Avispa Fukuoka, Inamura created an assist in an impressive win over Yokohama F Marinos just over a week ago.
However, four minutes into the J League clash at Fukuoka, Inamura did this:
It was an excellent first-time left-foot finish into the top corner to leave the home goalkeeper no chance of pulling off a save.
Celtic target Hayato Inamura’s impressive stats despite J League defeat
The defeat leaves Niigata 18th in the J League table and in threat of relegation into Japan’s second tier.
However, Inamura was impressive in defence as the Celtic target showed why the Scottish champions are keeping a close eye on him. Stats from Fotmob.
- Rating: 6.8
- Accurate passes: 106/112 (95%)
- Touches: 118
- Touches in opposition box: 1
- Passes into final third: 8
- Accurate long balls: 6/9 (67%)
- Clearances: 2
- Headed clearance: 2
- Interceptions: 0
- Defensive actions: 3
- Recoveries: 2
- Dribbled past: 0
- Duels won: 2
- Duels lost: 3
Inamura was Niigata’s second-best player on the pitch and was the player with the most passes in the match.
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