Celtic midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi has provided some promising remarks on how he’s settling in at Celtic as he lauded his Hoops teammates.
Ideguchi has seldom been seen in the first-team since his January arrival from Gamba Osaka. After being out with a month due to injuty, the Japanese international hasn’t been able to displace any of the current Hoops midfielders in the title run-in.
As things stand, it looks as though Ideguchi will need to wait until next season for his big opportunity. In the meantime, however, it gives him a chance to integrate and settle in with the squad.
And as he opened up on his start to life in Glasgow, Ideguchi pointed to the squad atmosphere as a big reason for him setting in easily. Speaking to the Celtic View [Volume 57, Issue 3, Page 42], Yosuke said: “All of my teammates are very friendly and there’s a great atmosphere in the squad. That’s really helped me settle in well so far.
“It’s a great group to be a part of, and having Reo, Kyogo, and Daizen around has been beneficial. Joining the club at the same time as Reo and Daizen helped me because I want to contribute alongside them as much as I can.
“Since my family arrived here, in our free time we like to go into the city and we’re really enjoying life here. I have four members of my family over with me just now and my mother is here as well. That’s very important to me to have them over here and have that connection with home.”
Yosuke Ideguchi having no off-field troubles at Celtic early doors
The big plus point to take away from this is how well Ideguchi appears to have adapted to the off-field differences at Celtic. He appears to be highly satisfied with his move from Japan and appears to be enjoying his time in Scotland.
It really shouldn’t be underestimated just how important that is for supporters. We’ve seen in the past how difficult off-field adaption issues can be for players. Just look at Hatem Elhamed last year. He had to leave Celtic due to being without his family as he struggled to get to grips with life here.
The fact that Ideguchi isn’t suffering similar issues is positive. Most certainly having his family around him will help, especially when he has on-field blows such as his injury knock at Alloa.
As things stand, Celtic fans still don’t know much about Ideguchi as a player. In his 5 Celtic appearances so far, only 1 has come from the start. In that period he’s looked technically gifted and comfortable spraying the ball around.
However, we’ve still to get a good extended look at him. Whether that comes before the end of the season or in the summer is down to Ange. But in the meantime, it’s vital he’s enjoying himself off the pitch.
That certainly looks to be the case, and it says a lot for the current atmosphere inside Lennoxtown at the moment.
In other news, Opinion: The game Celtic really want Kyogo Furuhashi back for amid return talk
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