Celtic defender Hayato Inamura has opened up on advice he received from Japanese international Daizen Maeda, who has encouraged him to return to Europe and prove himself…
The 23-year-old centre-back joined the Scottish champions from Albirex Niigata on a long-term deal last summer, but opportunities were limited for the Hoops during the first half of the campaign.
He made just a single appearance, featuring in a 3-0 league win over Livingston in August before departing on loan in January.
Inamura subsequently rejoined the J League with FC Tokyo, where he has enjoyed a run of regular football and played a role in their push towards the top end of the table.
His performances have helped rebuild confidence after a difficult start to life in Scotland.
The defender is due back in Glasgow for pre-season and has revealed that Maeda has been offering guidance based on his own career path.
The Celtic forward previously endured a challenging spell in Europe with Maritimo before returning to Japan and later re-establishing himself abroad.
Speaking via The Herald, Inamura said: “I received some encouraging words from Daizen Maeda because he returned to the J League after playing in Europe.”
“He told me I could definitely start again when I return to Celtic and that really helped me have a positive attitude.”
“Looking back, I was too keen to make an impression so I could maybe get to the World Cup. At Celtic, it was a lot more physical. I don’t just mean it was about aerial duels, there were a lot more players who were strong in one-on-one situations.”
“I realised that I need to improve my physical level and develop the intelligence to compete against bigger players. That’s why I’m working on that now at FC Tokyo.”
“Many young Japanese players are going to Europe and it’s becoming like you can’t get into the Japan squad unless you can perform well there. But personally, I felt like I rushed things a bit when it came to this World Cup.”
“I want to keep my feet on the ground, try and win the league here and go back to Celtic and start again.”
Conor Spence
Post your own thoughts in the comments section below…
Quick Tip – Add Celticshorts.com as your ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the Celtic content you value the most. It takes just a few seconds and you’ll notice the difference straight away! – Click HERE….Hail Hail!
1 Comment
The question facing hayato, is has he improved enough to be in consideration as a no2 left back behind Tierney?
Same applies to Saracchi, where playing time available, could question that potential deal in the making?
Tierney has had a decent enough season imo, especially with being available for way more matches, than I originally thought?
But there still remains the fear of if he goes down, will he get back up again?
Personally believe that Saracchi has been underused this season, hampered by his own injury, but still rate him as a player, very highly?
Even MoN was prepared to go for scales as a 3rd choice option at left back, moreso than hayato, hence allowing him the loan move away for more game time?
Of course that could remain the case for next season also, regarding his future.
Possibly a longshot at present, for hayato to be looking to claim a place next season, within forming a 25man European squad.
Even though it couldn’t be totally ruled out just yet either.
But hayato is only 1 of a number of players that a new manager is going to have to decide upon, within his squad building process.
As much as I agree with having 3 potential options available within the squad building process, especially with the footballing calendar as it currently is.
There is always going to be a potential problem arising with such limited, if any game time available for themselves, especially without any development programme on show, within our own club at present, as this season alone has proved how badly that still remains imo?