“He’s our hardest worker and that raises the levels for everyone,” Ange on Ideguchi

Yosuke Ideguchi it has to be said has had an unlucky start to his Celtic career. After being on the end of an outrageous tackle against Alloa Athletic in the Scottish Cup, Celtic’s January signing had a spell on the sidelines as a result of injury, while his fellow countrymen, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda set about impressing the Celtic support.

For some players that may have seen a dropping of the head, but for Guchi speaking to the Celtic View in the new edition of the club’s quarterly magazine, there is a determination to get a consistent run in the team, now that he’s back to full fitness, and experience more of the Celtic Park experience he enjoyed so much on his debut and show the Celtic support he has as much to offer as any of the Japanese stars who got a head start on their Celtic careers.

“I remember the first time I stepped on to the pitch at Celtic Park, that’s been my favourite moment so far and it was something that was really special. I want to secure my position in the team, to play every game constantly and have a consistent run.

“Before we signed, Kyogo was big news in Japan with the way he was performing here and I hope I can do the same. Joining the club at the same time as Reo and Daizen helped me because I want to contribute alongside them as much as I can.”

And for Ideguchi there is high praise from his manager, who feels the midfielder has been the unlucky one from all the January signings, but recognises this, and lets it be known Ideguchi, as much as any signing the manager has made, has a long-term Celtic career ahead of them, not just an expectancy to hit the ground running, as Postecoglou points to Ideguchi being the ‘hardest worker’ in training.

“He’s probably been the unluckiest of the lot in that he got an injury early on just when he got himself to fitness, and it’s been a bit frustrating for him that I haven’t been able to give him more game time.

“But with all of these guys, I didn’t buy them for the first six months. They’re here for the next three or four years and I’ve no doubt he’ll become an important player for us over the course of time.

“He’s a team-focused guy and even when he’s not playing, you see him in training and he’s our hardest worker and that raises the levels for everyone.

“He knew what he was getting into so he’s adjusted really well and as a family they’ve made that decision and this is where they see their future and I think all those kinds of things help.”

And it can only help Ideguchi when the family Ange Postecoglou mentions have come to Scotland in numbers, with five family members accompanying Guchi to Glasgow, allowing the Celtic midfielder to focus fully on his football, all the while having that extra support behind him as he tries to settle into a Scottish way of life and a Celtic style of play.

If Yosuke Ideguchi’s performances in training have caught the eye of Ange Postecoglou it’s only a matter of time before the Japanese midfielder gets that run in the team his performances at Lennoxtown warrant, but as with all Celtic’s signings it’s the long haul that matters, not short-term results.

Niall J