Celtic’s tour of Japan hasn’t exactly started off on the best foot on the pitch. The 6-4 defeat to Yokohama F Marinos today was a mixed bag for Celtic as the team displayed a killer instinct in front of goal whilst proving that we are still a bit rusty defensively.
But that’s what preseason friendlies are for. Identifying strengths and weaknesses and looking at ways to improve them both. And that is exactly what Brendan Rodgers will do.
However, off the park, Celtic are enjoying the adulation of the Japanese public. 67 Hail Hail discussed earlier how the crowd in the Nissan Stadium got into the spirit of the friendly atmosphere by singing along to the ‘We’re Glasgow Celtic’ chant.
We also saw many members of the Japanese crowd donning the green and white hoops as they paid homage to their returning countrymen for the week-long tour.
And Celtic released more footage through their official Japan Twitter account where it shows Celtic midfielder, Reo Hatate interacting with the crowd in Yokohama as they excitedly took the opportunity to grab a photo of their hero.
Many members of the crowd could barely contain themselves as Hatate conversed with them in his native tongue. The footage just further compounds how popular Celtic’s Japanese players have become since making their big move to Glasgow.
What also helps is that Hatate and Kyogo are now back in the frame for international duty and their recent participation in the Kirin Cup where the Samurai Blues defeated Peru and El Salvador in the middle of June.
Tomoki Iwata was already a favourite in his homeland after a title-winning season at Marinos saw him named Japan’s MVP for last season.
Celtic are winning friends over in Japan and they have the opportunity to strengthen that friendship when they face Gamba Osaka in the final game of the Japan Tour.
In other news, Brendan Rodgers reacts as Celtic lose Japan Tour opener to Yokohama F Marinos
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