The Postecoglou and Celtic effect in full swing as two other Scottish clubs go down Japanese path

Add as preferred source on Google

Given the success Celtic have had in the Japanese market over the past 18 months, it is perhaps no surprise to see other Scottish clubs now going down the same path.

Six Japanese players have arrived at the club since Ange Postecoglou moved to Glasgow from Yokohama in the summer of 2021.

With Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi ripping it up on a weekly basis, and high hopes for January signings Yuki Kobayashi and Tomoki Iwata, the J League clearly represents excellent value for money.

And with the unoriginality that exists in Scottish football, it was only a matter of time before other clubs followed suit.

Earlier this week, Hearts completed the signing of versatile forward Yutaro Oda from Kyogo’s former club Vissel Kobe.

Today, Jambos boss Robbie Neilson has admitted that more Japanese players could join him at Tynecastle. (BBC)

And Motherwell are apparently keen to get in on the act too, with the Daily Record reporting that they want to sign midfielder Riku Danzaki.

It really was a matter of time before other clubs cottoned on to the talent on offer.

Of course, Japanese players have played in Scotland prior to Postecoglou’s arrival, with both Celtic and Hearts leading the way in years gone by.

But their influence is now being felt in Scottish football more than ever before. Yet, Celtic should still hold the advantage.

First of all, we have Ange Postecoglou, who will be familiar with and to the players.

And also, we are Celtic and should be able to attract the very best Japanese talent, like 2022 MVP winner Iwata.

Now it’s surely only a matter of time before our rivals across the city copy our gameplan.

In other news, Derek McInnes has been speaking ahead of this weekend’s Hampden clash but Celtic fans should be sceptical