Celtic have already found real value in Japan, but they should not be waiting until every promising player has made his name in the J-League.
To be clear, nobody is suggesting Martin O’Neill should throw untested school players straight into Celtic’s first team. The point is to know exactly how good they are now before other teams sniff them out.
Tsubasa Yamamoto, Kyoya Tatsuno and Kenshin Takada would not be competing for places in Celtic’s first team plans.
All three are worth watching, but Yamamoto is the one Celtic should scout first.
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The three Japanese prospects who could suit Celtic
Yamamoto is a technical midfielder, Tatsuno is an orthodox striker and Takada’s game is built around speed and pressing.
Of the three, Yamamoto looks most like a Celtic player. The Ozu High midfielder was an attacking No.8 but has now been moved into a deeper midfield role.
In ten league games, Yamamoto has completed 900 minutes, scoring four goals. Playing deeper has improved him, but not taken the goals out of his game.
Yamamoto still carries the ball and gets forward when the space opens. Celtic face packed defences most weeks, and that ability could help break them open.
Tatsuno is the proper centre-forward of the three. The tall Shohei High striker can protect the ball, run beyond defenders and finish with either foot.
He has scored three times in ten league appearances. He is no teenage goal machine but it’s all about whether his link play develops as quickly as his physical game.
Tatsuno already has the build and movement of a centre-forward. His link-up play still needs work.
Takada is the quickest and the rawest. The 16-year-old can play through the middle or from the left of midfield and has scored and assisted against Argentina during his first Japan Under-16 camp.
His pace, strength and pressing will immediately stand out. Pace will only take him so far against teams sitting deep, and his touch and link play will decide whether he becomes more than a dangerous runner.
There is a hint of Daizen Maeda about the young Japanese forward.
Why Tsubasa Yamamoto should top Celtic’s list
Yamamoto should be top of the list because his game fits the problems Celtic face every week. Scottish teams regularly defend with a low block and leave very little space behind.
Celtic need midfielders who can take the ball forward and not slow the attack down.
Yamamoto also turns 18 first, which removes the biggest barrier for an overseas transfer. He turns 18 on 10 October 2026, while Tatsuno does not turn 18 until April 2027 and Takada on March 2028.
International transfers involving players under 18 are tightly restricted, but turning 18 would not make a Celtic deal straightforward.
Celtic would still need to apply for a work permit.
Tabs should be kept on all three, but Yamamoto should be top of Celtic’s list.
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