Yuki Kobayashi came in for some heavy criticism for his performance in the 3-0 Glasgow Derby defeat to Rangers. The Japanese defender struggled at Ibrox and had to settle for a place on the bench against St Mirren at the weekend.
Ange Postecoglou explained that the reason for giving Iwata the nod ahead of his fellow countryman was because he wanted to give as many players gametime ahead of the Scottish Cup Final next month.
Game time he got, but it didn’t really work out. Iwata and Ralston were both at fault for St Mirren’s opener on Saturday as the Japanese midfielder looked out of sorts alongside Carl Starfelt.
But in fairness to Iwata, he can’t be blamed for that. Creating a solid backline takes weeks, if not months, of practice to build up an understanding with your teammates.
Kobayashi, although hasn’t really had that timescale, had shown enough against St Mirren in the 4-0 win at Celtic Park in January and the 4-1 win against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park just last month to show that he can be trusted in the centre of defence.
The Japanese defender looked calm and assured on the left side of the defensive partnership with Carl Starfelt and although he did struggle at Ibrox two weeks ago, it was practically a brand new backline he was lined up with.
Celtic need stability at the back. Using these last two games to build that partnership with Starfelt will help stand Kobayashi in good stead for the Scottish Cup Final in June.
You would have to assume that with Cameron Carter-Vickers out, the 22-year-old is the natural choice to partner Starfelt for the final.
Giving him a start against tough opponents like Hibs and Aberdeen will tell us if he is up to the task of taking that opportunity. I believe that he is and he should be given the opportunity to put that Ibrox performance to bed.
In other news, Kyogo’s Lisbon Lions tribute; striker tells of long-term Celtic ambition
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