There’s a curious wee divide emerging in Celtic cyberspace over the prospect of a move for Kawasaki Frontale striker Shin Yamada – and it’s one where both sides of the debate have some valid ground to stand on…
Kawasaki Frontale’s Shin Yamada during the 2025 J1 League match between Kawasaki Frontale 4-0 Nagoya Grampus at Uvance Todoroki Stadium by Fujitsu in Kanagawa, Japan, February 15, 2025. Photo IMAGO
The stat-chasers and highlight-watchers
On one side of the argument, you’ve got the stat-chasers and highlight-watchers pointing at last season’s impressive breakout campaign – 19 goals in the J1 League, leading the line for one of Japan’s most respected sides. And all that, reportedly, for a modest £1.5 million fee.
That’s the low-risk, high-upside punt we’ve seen the club get very right in recent years with signings like O’Riley, Hatate, and Maeda, but then again, there was also the Summer of ‘23!
The form-watchers
But, and it’s a fair point, there’s another group of fans – let’s call them the form-watchers – looking at Yamada’s current season and furrowing their brows. Two goals so far this campaign, in a team that’s not exactly struggling to create chances – that’s a concern. We’ve all seen strikers hit the heights for one season only to fall faster than an Ibrox title ‘challenge’.
So, what gives? Is he the next Kyogo or the next Klimala?
Well, one thing that does give us cause for hope – and maybe even tips the scale slightly in the ‘Yes Please’ direction – is the player himself.
After making his international debut in the E-1 Championship against Hong Kong, Yamada offered a refreshingly honest self-assessment, as reported in Glasgow Times that’s possibly quite rare, at least in our game.
Shin Yamada Frontale, MARCH 30, 2024 – Football / Soccer : Shin Yamada of Frontale celebrates his first goal during 2024 J1 League match match between Kawasaki Frontale – FC Tokyo at Uvance Todoroki Stadium by Fujitsu, Kanagawa, Japan. Photo IMAGO
“I went into the game with the feeling that this was my chance to impress and although we won, I thought I could have done more. I thought I might have been able to score a goal, but I think I learned a lot from this.
“On a personal note, I have to admit I have had a disappointing season. I set high standards for myself and I don’t think I met them if I am being honest. I think that going forward, when we compete in the World Cup, it will be against far more difficult opponents, so I need to keep that in mind as I work on my national team progress.”
Shin Yamada Frontale, MARCH 30, 2024 – Football / Soccer : 2024 J1 League match match between Kawasaki Frontale – FC Tokyo at Uvance Todoroki Stadium by Fujitsu, Kanagawa, Japan. Photo IMAGO
That doesn’t strike as the mindset of a player content to coast. That’s a player who knows he’s fallen below his own bar and isn’t looking to shift blame. He even references changes in the team’s style at Frontale this season – a new coach, a new style, reminds me of another Japanese striker. But rather than hiding behind it, he acknowledges he’s got to raise his game. There’s a certain maturity to those comments.
“I think the team played in a different style and that made a difference, but I am fully aware I have to raise my standards.”
L to R Shin Yamada Frontale, Hayato Inamura Albirex, OCTOBER 13, 2024 – Football / Soccer : 2024 J. League YBC Levain Cup Semi-final 2nd Leg match between Kawasaki Frontale – Albirex Niigata at Uvance Todoroki Stadium, Kanagawa, Japan. Photo IMAGO
Every transfer carries a degree of risk
Of course, every transfer carries a degree of risk. Kyogo arrived here with people questioning whether his stats in the J-League would translate to the rough and tumble of Scottish football. We all know how that turned out.<
Yamada may have dropped off in terms of goals scored off this season, but whilst form may be inconsistent at times, class doesn’t disappear overnight, indeed his XG figures remain consistent across both campaigns.
Perhaps with a fresh start, a proper support system, and maybe an established Japanese contingent that’ll help him settle quickly – there’s every chance he gets back to his best. And if he does, Celtic may have yet another Japanese success story on our hands.
So, whether you’re in the cautious camp or the optimistic brigade, there’s enough in both the stats and the statements to justify some excitement about the potential signing of Shin Yamada. And as for us? Well, we just like the cut of his jib!
Let’s see what the Bhoys upstairs decide on this one.
Niall J
Help raise funds for Celtic Youth Academy by playing the Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery and you could win up to £25,000. The lottery is £1 per week. Click on image above to join.
Seen the youtube clips and he is fast, two footed, strong on the ball, skillful, brave, can pass, dribble and shoot. He closes down well & looks good tbh.
The quotes above are similar to all oor Japanese Bhoys tbf, they are very honest about themselves. We all know he will work hard and I think it is a very good deal, especially for the money.
Good luck tae him!
Niall, great piece mate. I have a similar one scheduled for 3pm and I gave you a tip of the hat.
Top work mate.
Thanks James. I watched one of your recent podcasts, David had pointed me in the direction. Very much enjoyed it. I’ll check in on your article later too. All the best.
The people moaning about it moan about absolutely everything. End of the day the recent article calling out celtic fans for not being scouts.
End of the day nobody knows for certain but the people in best place to say anything are the celtic staff, coaches and managers.
I’d trust them over the fat, thick and computer addicted people that have an opinion about everything and think they know best.
Celtic fans aren’t putting a good image of themselves this summer, it’s been insufferable. I’ll be surprised if any player wants to come if they seen what the celtic support are like me.. and that’s very sad cos we used to have a good reputation as fans.
My concern, and I think it is the concern of most Celtic fans, is that Celtic do not have a proven quality striker and winger to replace Kyogo and Kuhn. These “maybe, maybe not” projects are all very well when the team is stacked with quality, but when they start buying them in to replace quality then we know there’s a problem.
Frankly, I don’t think Brendan Rodgers is picking these players, which is why he was all for loaning Inamura out before even seeing him play. Rodgers wants to spend big on quality and the Board are not complying, that’s my take on the window so far. Balikwisha is another average (at best) player. Add to that the hot/cold performances of Engels and Idah and it looks really worrying for the season ahead. My suspicion is that Brendan Rodgers will leave Celtic in the not-too-distant future, the result of a combination of failed projects and rash overpriced buys. It’s not looking great.
I’m pretty happy with the profiles of the players we are being credited with an interest in. However, to also consider your last point, if we weren’t buying for Rodgers exclusively this summer, perhaps it’s with another manager in mind. The profiles certainly remind me of someone else!
Just another close season of penny pinching Celtic board let’s be honest about it do we really expect anything different from this lot it time Desmond sold the club to people who will inevitably invest in us I wonder how much he has took from us over the years as for Brendan rogers we all know what is going happen I just wonder where he will end up this time
Thank feck for the short spell the fella Don McKay was Chief Exec. One outstanding transfer window – Hart, Juranović, CCV, Star-Lord, Kyogo, Abada, Jota. Also he had the foresight to set up the next window’s signings in advance – Reo, Daizen and MOR incoming.
If nothing else it’ll be nice for Maeda and Hatate to have their countrymen living in the city of Glasgow alongside them. Welcome to Celtic and god bless Japan and all of your people. Warriors!