The situation surrounding Celtic duo Shin Yamada and Hayato Inamura remains intriguing as Brendan Rodgers provides fresh insight into their progress.
Since joining the Hoops in the summer, Yamada has featured just five times, totaling 147 minutes of action. Inamura’s involvement has been even more limited, with only a single appearance—the full 90 minutes in Celtic’s 3-0 win over Livingston.
Both players are often omitted from Rodgers’ matchday squads, and ahead of the clash with SC Braga, the Celtic boss has sent them a message of encouragement, urging patience as they wait for their chance.
Supporters believe the pair have shown enough quality to contribute, but Rodgers, who watches them daily in training, feels they still need time to push their way into the first-team picture.
Speaking to Celtic TV, Rodgers said:
“Guys are training hard and well, and if a spot opens up, they’ll be in the best possible condition to step in. There are players ahead of them at the moment, but they’re working hard and when the opportunity comes, they’ll be ready.”
Celtic currently sit 17th in the Europa League table, level on points with Nottingham Forest under Ange Postecoglou, Real Betis, and Red Star Belgrade—whom they held to a draw on matchday one.
Meanwhile, Rangers endured a setback in their opener, falling 1-0 to Genk thanks to a winner from ex-Celtic striker Hyeongyu Oh, leaving Russell Martin’s side 31st and under pressure ahead of their trip to Sturm Graz.
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