Brendan Rodgers has provided updates on Shin Yamada, Odsonne Edouard links and the potential exits of Luis Palma and Yang…
July 16, 2025, Faro, Portugal: Reo Hatate of Celtic celebrates a goal during a Pre-Season friendly football match played between Sporting CP and Celtic FC at Estadio Algarve on July 16, 2025 in Faro, Portugal. Faro Portugal – Photo Joaquin Corchero
Rodgers confirmed last night that Yamada is set to join Celtic, yet the Irishman remains intent on bringing in an additional forward.
The Japanese international is expected in Scotland within a day to undergo a medical before completing his £1.3 million switch from Kawasaki Frontale.
While Rodgers plans to let Yamada prove himself for a first team role, he has outlined his desire of strengthening his attack with further signings in the weeks ahead.
Following Celtic’s impressive 2-0 victory over Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon in the Algarve last night, Rodgers said via Daily Record: “He’ll have a medical over the next couple of days and we’ll have a look at him.”
“We’ve lost a lot of goals so we need to replace that. Hopefully this can be one of a number of players we can bring in that aspect. He’s got intensity and workrate. It’s something the scouts have seen.” The Celtic boss added: “In terms of the club, we will bring in players to develop and players for now. Even though he’s a bit older, he’s probably one of those that can give us that intensity and pressure.”
“I need to look and see him when he comes in and hopefully he can do well. The idea was to bring him in and assess him. He’s a strong boy – but we’d want to add to our front line also.”
In recent days, former Hoops hero Odsonne Edouard has been linked with a return to the Scottish champions. However, Rodgers outlined: “I’m not worried so much about a big name. It’s about the collective of the team.”
July 16, 2025, Faro, Portugal: Benjamin Nygren of Celtic looks on during a Pre-Season friendly football match played between Sporting CP and Celtic FC at Estadio Algarve on July 16, 2025 in Faro, Portugal. Faro Portugal – Photo Joaquin Corchero
“Big names don’t always give you want you need. This team needs hunger, goals and work rate and intensity. Big names don’t always give you that. It’s about big players. I just want players who are hungry to learn but also ready now. There are lots of players linked with us.”
“Odsonne hasn’t been on my radar, to be fair. I obviously know him but it’s about a player who will fit into the structure of the team.”
Rodgers conceded that some squad players are likely to depart, with Luis Palma poised for a move, Norwich City pursuing Yang, and Kwon also given the green light to find a new club.
He said: “Luis will probably go out on loan. There’s been a little bit of interest in Yang but he’s been a good squad player for us. Kwon is in a difficult position with the competition there so he’s obviously looking for a club.”
Rodgers was delighted about his side’s 2-0 victory over the Primera title-holders in Estadio Algarve yesterday evening courtesy of goals from Reo Hatate and Luke McCowan.
“It was excellent. It was always going to be a very good test against a team with very good players who play their system very well,” he said. “I thought our pressing was good and we had to be brave. We did that and played well through the thirds.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers gestures on the touchline Sporting Lisbon v Celtic, Pre Season Friendly, Football, Estadio Algarve, Portugal – 16 Jul 2025 Estadio Algarve Portugal. Photo Carlos Rodrigues/Shutterstock
“We could have finished off a few more moves but we looked very good for this stage of preseason. It’s about consistently improving.”
Rodgers praised the overall performance, though the margin might have been greater had striker Adam Idah converted a couple of glaring opportunities in the first half.
The Celtic manager added: “He needs to come alive. You can’t be caught thinking at this level.”
“You have to anticipate and move and then have authority in the box. I know he can score goals and it’s also the time of pre-season.”
Conor Spence
Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, out 5 September 2025. Available to pre-order now.
intensity and workrate
what a load of shite and the happy clappers keep falling for this elite coach crap , who has he developed better out of the whole squad ,kyogo went so far back he wanted out , he couldn’t improve anyone even the weans are uping sticks for pastures new
And at leicester his transfers were a flop
,forcast for the season ahead
side to side pishy passing
back to front bomb scare pishy passing
and a whole list of new wingers who go back the way once they’ve crossed the half way line
elite coach my arse got found out in his 2nd season the first time ,is getting quickly found out towards the end of last season
keep the happy clapping going though