Hayato Inamura has discussed his situation at Celtic.
The defender was brought to Glasgow last summer and described as a “club signing” by then-manager Brendan Rodgers.
That comment became increasingly telling with every time Inamura was left out of the matchday squad. Having featured in just one competitive game, he was sent out on loan to FC Tokyo in January.
However, he hasn’t given up his hopes of returning to action for the Hoops.
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Hayato Inamura: Daizen Maeda told me I can start for Celtic
Via The National, Inamura said: “I received some encouraging words from Daizen Maeda because he returned to the J League after playing in Europe.
“He told me I could definitely start again when I return to Celtic and that really helped me have a positive attitude.
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“Looking back, I was too keen to make an impression so I could maybe get to the World Cup.
“At Celtic, it was a lot more physical. I don’t just mean it was about aerial duels, there were a lot more players who were strong in one-on-one situations.
“I realised that I need to improve my physical level and develop the intelligence to compete against bigger players.
“That’s why I’m working on that now at FC Tokyo.
“Many young Japanese players are going to Europe and it’s becoming like you can’t get into the Japan squad unless you can perform well there.
“But personally, I felt like I rushed things a bit when it came to this World Cup. I want to keep my feet on the ground, try and win the league here and go back to Celtic and start again.”
With the help of Inamura, FC Tokyo are having a good season, currently sitting second in the Eastern conference of the J League.
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Just weeks after the arrival of Inamura, Shin Yamada followed him from the J-League. Two years his senior, the striker was also shipped out on loan after six months. He too was labelled a ‘club signing’ by Rodgers.
Jahmai Simpson-Pusey has already played more minutes for FC Koln than he did for Celtic. His signing on a season-long loan deal is equally baffling.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha has started just once for Celtic since September. He was signed for £5 million. Do I have to go on?
Blame it on Rodgers, blame it on Paul Tisdale… it’s all a terrible reflection on how the club has operated in the transfer market.
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