Celtic had yet another busy window with multiple new signings. Alistair Johnston, Yuki Kobayashi, Tomoki Iwata and Oh Hyeon-gyu have bolstered them across the pitch, whereas Josip Juranovic, Moritz Jenz and Oliver Abildgaard have left the club for fresh challenges elsewhere. According to BBC, outcast Yosuke Ideguchi is the latest name to part ways for first-team minutes.
The 26-year-old Samurai Blue international has returned to his homeland and joined Avispa Fukuoka on a year-long loan. He is a rare miss among all the names who plied their trade at Parkhead from J1 League, however, the former Gamba Osaka star could still resurrect his Celtic career if he shines at his hometown outfit.
Ideguchi is not the last player to leave the Hoops midway through the season. Giorgos Giakoumakis is also on the verge of leaving upon the breakdown of contract talks earlier this term, but the Japanese midfield ace has ample time to stake a claim in Ange Postecoglou’s plans with his current deal set to expire in the summer of 2026.
The Aussie boss employed his contacts in the Far East to secure the services of Kyogo Furuhashi to resolve their conundrum high up the pitch. The hitman was an instant hit which encouraged Postecoglou to snap up Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate along with Ideguchi. Both Maeda and Hatate cemented their starting status, but the persistent injury problems saw Ideguchi falling down the pecking order.
Although he made six appearances last season across competitions, the gaffer did not deploy him at all during the ongoing campaign. He was an unused substitute on a couple of occasions, but his continuous absence from the matchday squad, as well as the signing of Iwata, forced him to explore a new venture.
What’s Next For The Forgotten Celtic Star
Meanwhile, the Celts are well-equipped in the centre of the pitch with ample depth and expertise. Callum McGregor is irreplaceable as the ‘number 6’, but the addition of Iwata offers a quality alternative. Aaron Mooy is enjoying a scintillating run, also the energy and work rate of Hatate has helped the boss execute his free-flowing football. David Turnbull and Matt O’Riley have been rotated quite frequently to keep the midfield fit and fine amid the fixture congestion.
Postecoglou has refreshed the squad every time and is expected to do so once more when the window will reopen in July. His eyes will be on the Asian market to scout more low-key talents and it remains to be seen whether Ideguchi forces his way into the Celtic project.
