Rangers’ Europa League draw has handed one former Celtic player an unexpected chance to become popular at Parkhead again.
Rangers now know who stands between them and a place in the Europa League play-off round, and the draw carries a familiar Celtic connection.
Yuki Kobayashi may not have had the best time at Celtic, but now the Japanese defender has got a chance to endear himself to the Parkhead support forever.
A big dig at Celtic here! 👀
Should Martin O'Neill have given Nawrocki a chance at Celtic?
Yuki Kobayashi gets Rangers chance after Celtic spell
Rangers have been drawn against Jagiellonia Białystok, where Kobayashi currently plays. The ties are scheduled for August 6 and 13, with the Polish side at home in the opening leg.
Kobayashi joined Jagiellonia last July and made 23 appearances to help the Polish side qualify for the Europa League.
He also made six appearances during Jagiellonia’s Conference League campaign last season.
That gives the former Celtic defender a realistic chance of being involved against Rangers.
How Yuki Kobayashi’s Celtic career faded away
Kobayashi signed for Celtic in November 2022 after leaving Vissel Kobe. His competitive debut arrived in the 4-0 victory over St Mirren in January 2023, and he was part of Ange Postecoglou’s treble-winning squad.
He arrived after Postecoglou’s successful recruitment from Japan had brought Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate to Celtic, but never really managed to establish himself in the Celtic starting XI.
Kobayashi left Celtic permanently for Portimonense in 2024 before joining Jagiellonia one year later.
Kobayashi never gave Celtic supporters a moment to remember in the Hoops. Knocking Rangers out of Europe would certainly change that.
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