Transfer Latest – Ideguchi and Abildgaard set for Deadline Day Celtic exits

Celtic look set to offload fringe players Yosuke Ideguchi and Oliver Abildgaard on transfer deadline day as Ange Postecoglou makes a call on two of his signings that haven’t really worked out for either the players or the club.

The Danish international Abildgaard joined Celtic on a season-long loan deal from Russian side Rubin Kazan  but was used sparingly in the first few months of the season as he worked on his fitness levels after training alone before getting his move to Celtic due to the ongoing situation on Russian football due to the war in Ukraine.

Photo by Kieran McManus/Shutterstock  Oliver Abildgaard of Celtic RB Leipzig v Celtic, UEFA Champions League, Group F, Football, Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany – 05 Oct 2022 

Yet since the return to domestic football after the World Cup break the 26 year old Dane has only made the bench on a few occasions as an unused substitute but has now completely dropped out of the manager’s matchday plans. Abildgaard has attracted interest back home in Denmark with Aalborg reportedly keen on signing him and if a deal can be done then the defensive midfielder is expected to leave today.

Last week Celtic cut short the season loan deal for Moritz Jenz as the the player was unlikely to feature in the remaining months of this season and Abildgaard and indeed Ideguchi fall into the same category.

It looks like the Celtic support will never really know how good a player Yosuke Ideguchi could have been in the Hoops. He was the subject of a horrible challenge on his debut in the Scottish Cup tie away to Alloa Athletic in January last year and that essentially ruled him out for the rest of that season as both Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate – who arrived at Celtic from the J-League at the same time – both went on to establish themselves as key players in the manager’s squad.

Celtic v Blackburn Rovers Pre-Season Friendly 16/07/2022. Celtic midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi warming up during the Pre-Season Friendly match between at Celtic Park, on 16 July 2022. Photo Craig Galloway PSI

According to David Friel at Scottish Sun, Ideguchi is hoping to secure a deadline-day loan move away from Celtic today as he sees no real chance of breaking into the Celtic side.  Celtic will not stand in his way of a suitable offer arrives today and he may well be heading back home to Japan with his former side Gamba Osaka including in potential suitors for the utility player. Ideguchi is believed to also have options in Germany where he played previously for Greuther Furth.

The 26 year-old Japan international hasn’t featured at all this season hasn’t even made the bench since October and is expected to end his time at Celtic today.

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About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor David Faulds has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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