Hayato Inamura – Defender (Albirex Niigata) – 5/10
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
From Japan arrived Hayato Inamura, a left-back of quiet intelligence and attacking verve. During pre-season, he looked offensively smart, always scanning forward, quick to attempt the killer pass, tactically alert. The profile seemed perfect for a modern Celtic full-back. And yet, the verdict from the manager was that he’s “not ready defensively.”
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
Instead of nurturing his positives or sending him on loan to polish the rough edges, the club chose to bring in another left-back on loan. The result? Inamura, once brimming with momentum, now stagnates. It’s not a good look for a player who so obviously has tools worth developing. There’s a footballer in there, clever, progressive, eager, but right now he’s parked in the shadows, and that helps no one.
