With all the extra transfer activity going on at Celtic, you would think that January would be a good news month for Celtic.
With Riley McGree just being announced as the Hoops fifth signing off the window, the Australian joins Celtic’s Japanese quartet of Kyogo, Maeda, Ideguchi and Hatate as Celtic’s raid on the southern hemisphere continues.
But with the added quality from that region, also brings an added headache.
World Cup qualifiers.
With the Socceroos set to face Vietnam on the 27th January and Oman on the 1st February, that could mean the Parkhead side losing both Rogic and McGree for three vital SPFL matches in January and February.
But it was the Hoops Japanese contingent that was the focus for journalist David Friel’s attention.
Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, Friel predicted a dire consequence of Postecoglou dipping his toe into the Asian market and that is losing three of his Japanese players for the World Cup qualifiers against China and Saudi Arabia.
Speaking about the Japanese Government’s announcement to loosen COVID controls, Friel said, “Yesterday pretty much gave them [Japanese federation] the green light.
“The Japanese government had said so far they weren’t going to allow foreigners to come into the country but yesterday they sanctioned the games against China and Saudi Arabia to go ahead.
“I think it’s very, very limited pull of people that can come into the country without any restrictions.
“As soon as they get to the airport I’m told they [the players] have to go straight to the team hotel.
“So there’s no mingling. There’s no going to see family or anything like that.
“But the bad news for Celtic, it looks like Kyogo, Hatate and Maeda if all are selected, which we imagine they would be, will all be going for those games.”
Not great news for the Hoops fans but Ange Postecoglou could ask the board to request a postponement…………..
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Japan is not in the Southern Hemisphere
I trust celtic have looked into this they are not blind and will know more than the pundits and journalists so there happy I’m happy we would love to buy players from Europe but markets played out European players hard to get dedicated athletes even though European and British are beginning to live the athlete lifestyle
It’s typical celtic is bringing top talent to raise the profile of the spfl in these parts of the world for all to enjoy and some journalists tries demean it instead of praising it maybe bring sponsorship to the scottish game
True but none of knows what’s ahead so we don’t sign any internationals sevco games important they are six points ahead so far it would be kyoko and rogic now three more Japanese internationals and one Australian before those signings I’d still fancy our chances but for angi to make so many signings he’s making sure he will not be forcing youth into games from start st mirren game Ross County livingston all parked the bus especially st mirren who’s coach admitted but we ran out of ideas players not willing to take chances that comes with games in front of fans not a game for players never played first team games