Yuki Kobayashi will be allowed to leave Celtic on loan in January. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has made the decision to get the Japanese central defender out playing games as he looks to get himself in a position whereby he can get regular minutes.
As reported by The Scottish Sun, Rodgers confirmed that Kobayashi was available for loan in the summer before getting injured but the Irishman confirmed that the player has been training well.
“In fairness to Yuki, he would have gone out on loan and he got injured just before he went out.
“He’s training well, it’s not that he’s doing anything wrong. His attitude has been fantastic, he’s working hard, but we’ve a limited number of centre-halves that we can play.”
According to the report, there are a number of J-League clubs that are keen on signing the 23-year-old and it is hoped that a deal will be secured before the window opens up.
Since arriving from Vissel Kobe, Kobayashi has made 7 appearances but struggled with the physicality of the Scottish game. Kobayashi was working his way back from injury when Liam Scales propelled himself into the heart of the Celtic defence with quality performances at the back. The Irishman’s story will certainly show Kobayashi that there is still a pathway towards playing first team football but it is in everyone’s best interests if he gets football while out on loan.
Kobayashi will likely be one of the first departures with a variety of loan moves and permanent transfers in the January window as Brendan Rodgers looks to reshape his squad by reducing numbers but increasing quality.
What is the value in loaning him to a Japanese club in preparing him for physicality of Scottish football? The benefit of Ajer, Christie and Scales going to other Scottish teams is obvious and this is model we should follow.
TERRY STINSON That’s exactly what I was thinking , if he goes back to japan then we have simply wasted our money , however if he went to Aberdeen or somewhere in the league we could watch his progress and weaken the opposition when we play his team , if he proves to be a decent player , Hail hail .