Celtic have been blessed with Asian players representing the club and being part of its rich trophy-winning history, from Shunsuke Nakamura to current star Kyogo Furuhashi.
When Ange Postecoglou was handed the keys to Celtic in 2021, given his links and success in the J-League, it saw an influx of players from Asia join the club.
Many have proven to be a success, and still are, with a China-based journalist asking Brendan Rodgers about the growing number of Asian players in Europe and for his team ahead of Celtic’s Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid.
The Celtic boss spoke about the ‘incredible professionalism’ of the Asian players he works with and how, from a physical standpoint, they are able to ‘cope’, as he told his pre-match press conference.
Given that the Bhoys don’t have Premier League money to sign whoever they wish from Europe’s biggest clubs, it means that recruitment has to be more niche and clever.
And from Japan star Reo Hatate to South Korean forward Hyeongyu Oh, the club have found gems, who are thriving or will thrive in years to come.
Celtic’s Asian players
“What do you think of the importance of Asian players in the team? And what do you think is the most important factor that the Asian players can be successful in the European teams?” Asked a reporter from China.
Rodgers responded: “I think if you look throughout European football. The growth of Asian players coming into various teams and top clubs has gradually increased over the last decade.
“If I look at the players at Celtic. They bring an incredible professionalism to the game. From a physical perspective, they cope. And the players come in with a lot of humility, in order to learn and develop, and it’s not easy. I recognise that to come from the other side of the world, to come into a new country, different culture and different playing intensity.
“But a lot of them have coped very, very well. Some have played more than others. But the actual coping of it, I have been really, really impressed.”
Kyogo in the Champions League
Celtic fans would have been delighted when Kyogo signed a new contract this summer given the noise around him and how Postecoglou himself could have tried to lure him to the Premier League.
He is already a legendary figure at the club, that’s proven by the trophies he has won, including the Treble last season.
But it’s in the Champions League where fans are hoping he can guide the club to that next step, with back-to-back goals in recent games.
Celtic face the toughest of tests against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League tonight and if they are to upset the odds, then Kyogo needs to be on song.
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