Celtic’s Como trip will tell if Hayato Inamura should be back up for Kieran Tierney this season…
Hayato Inamura of Celtic Cork City v Celtic, Pre Season Friendly, SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork, Ireland – 08 Jul 2025Cork SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh Ireland. Photo Lorraine O’Sullivan Shutterstock
After comfortably disposing of Newcastle United, next up for Brendan Rodgers and his squad is a trip to the luxury surroundings of Lake Como in the north of Italy as they compete in a four team tournament ahead of the season opener in the first weekend of August.
Celtic will take on Dutch giants Ajax, and if we are victorious we will contest the finale with either hosts Como or Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli as we look to win yet more pre season silverware.
It will pose another beneficial exercise for the players as they aim to be fully ready for the start of the competitive action.
For some players it’s a chance to show Brendan Rodgers that they have what it takes to become a regular fixture in his squad. One such player is Hayato Inamura who has took not just the supporters by surprise, but Brendan himself in his short period at the club.
Hayato Inamura of Celtic Cork City v Celtic, Pre Season Friendly, Football, SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork, Ireland – 08 July 2025 Cork SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh Ireland Photo Lorraine O’Sullivan/Shutterstock
Hatato Inamura was expected to be sent out on loan to prepare for the rigmaroles of being a Celtic player, but since his impressive bow against Derry City he’s proved it wasn’t a fluke by putting in accomplished displays against much higher calibre sides in Portuguese Champions Sporting and the English Premier League’s wealthiest club Newcastle United.
Celtic beat both – 2-0 and 4-0 – and Inamura was one of many stand-outs for the Hoops as Celtic lifted their second trophy of the pre-season with a third on offer this week in Como.
Celtic player Kieran Tierney is embraced by manager Brendan Rodgers before coming on as a substitute during the pre-season friendly match between Celtic and Newcastle United at Celtic Park on July 19, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Inamura’s now given the Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers some food for thought on the matter of bringing in another left back to cover for Kieran Tierney, and if he impresses yet again in the Como Cup then there will be no need to delve into the transfer market in search of reinforcements when it comes to that area.
The smart money is on Hatato Inamura proving his worth yet again and in doing so earning himself a place in the Celtic squad for season 2025/26. The Bhoy looks like a real find.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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At present it is looking like 8 defenders will be within our 25man squad.
Left side of defence already consists of 2 from 4 between Trusty, Scales, Tierney and hayato for matches.
The right is made up of CCV, Murray, AJ and ralston.
Still a bit of flexibility within such a defensive set up also, and allows for a rotation policy to be introduced imo?
For a 20man SPFL match, could be looking at 6 defenders, so potentially hoping the 5 subs could be used moreso in the midfield and attacking areas for matches.
If such a plan is within the thinking of Rodgers for the season ahead, would certainly think it is a better squad set up that was in operation last season imo?
Hayato has shown enough already to suggest the jersey is his to lose at present, but more importantly is it potentially allows a better pathway for youngsters to the first team squad if required.
Scotland in general, still seems to be able to produce players of a more defensive nature than anywhere else upon the park?