Unfair to write off Inamura, trust the process…

L to R Hayato Inamura Albirex, Yu Kobayashi Frontale, 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.

Celtic has reportedly entered negotiations with Japanese defender Hayto Inamura and it’s fair to say that it’s been met by a negative response from some of our supporters.

Inamura is a left sided centre back who can also play left back, and in the minds of our more over critical supporters he’s already the new Yuki Kobayashi.

Celtic v St Mirren – cinch Premiership – Celtic Park Celtic’s Yuki Kobayashi left reacts during the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park on Wednesday January 18, 2023. Photo Andrew Milligan

Kobayashi was another capture from the J league by Ange Postecoglou in early 2023 and due to the success of Reo Hatate, Kyogo, and Daizen Maeda it was naturally assumed Kobayashi would be a hit in the centre of defence.

Despite a decent start Kobayashi soon faded into obscurity after it was clear to see that he wasn’t suited to the Scottish game, and departed the club last year after making just seven appearances, signing for Portuguese second tier side Portimonense.

Just like Kobayashi, Inamura is also left footed but that’s where the comparisons end. Kobayashi was brought in as cover for CCV and Carl Starfelt whilst Inamura due to his versatility of playing on the left hand of defence will be seen as cover for the returning Kieran Tierney due to the imminent departure of Greg Taylor.

It’s quite obvious really. We have Liam Scales and Auston Trusty who are natural left footed centre backs, so why would we add a third?

It would be unfair to write off Inamura just because of a bad experience with a player that previously failed to make the grade at the club, just because he’s from the same country. Like every player he deserves a chance. Now let’s give him that chance before writing him off before he’s even kicked a ball or indeed signed a contract.

Brendan Rodgers at the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Semi Final match between St Johnstone and Celtic at Hampden Park on April 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic will never get all of their signings right, no club will but these days they get more right than wrong. Just trust the process and make judgements on players after you’ve seen them play. Hayto Inamura is a young player who, if he’s signed, can be developed and turned into a first team starter. It won’t happen immediately but that will be the plan.

If he does sign just give the Bhoy a chance.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy