Celtic have looked lifeless in front of goal this season, with summer acquisition Shin Yamada watching from a distance.
Brendan Rodgers can compare the Celtics to a ‘Honda Civic’ all he wants, but at the end of the day, they should be faring far better.
You can discuss Celtic’s financial disparity on the European stage, but not on the domestic stage, because big problems are repeatedly exposed.
That was demonstrated by Celtic’s defeat to Dundee on Sunday, and now the Scottish champions host Sturm Graz in the Europa League, while Yamada will sit at home.
Celtic fans on Shin Yamadaβs continued absence
Celtic recruited Yamada in the summer, but he has yet to play, and he was even left out of the Europa League roster for the league phase.
Given Celtic’s struggles in front of goal, Yamada was mentioned by fans who believe he deserves playing time and a chance, given the garbage that is being put in front of him.
@aboutceltic started it: ‘It seemed ridiculous at the time when Celtic signed a 25-year-old CF who had only scored twice in 21 J League games. It was obviously not what we needed. He deserves a chance, but his signing was entirely unexpected.’
@hotbaws1 Compared Shin to Kyogo: ‘He at least retains some of the characteristics we lost with Kyogo. Given how sluggish we are in attack, he deserves at least a few minutes.
@ryan_carr3 described Celtic as ‘lifeless’ without Yamada: ‘Kelechi has little mobility, and Kenny isn’t good enough. So Yamada should be given a couple games to see how he performs. At the very least, he can race about and hold the ball up, which may provide much-needed vitality to this boring Celtics team.
@Lewis_CFC_120 believes Kenny should take a backseat to the summer signing: ‘I’d prefer to see him come off the bench instead of Kenny, honestly. But even if he gets a chance, many will probably just say, ‘Bring Kenny back in, because both are unlikely to be good enough.’
@EverySecondFriday3 wants to know who signed Yamada: I’d like to know who signed, as it wasn’t the manager. I wouldn’t be shocked if Mark Lawwell remained in the background.
@roo94094 notes what would have happened if Shin joined in January instead: βIf we had signed him in January, he would have been a straight swap for Kyogo, as he had scored plenty of goals in the season just ended. Never given a chance with Rodgers.β
Yamada’s playing time for Celtic this season
Rodgers’ message is clear: Yamada is a club signing, not someone he coveted.
However, it is now affecting Celtic, and the Japan star’s minutes need to be increased.
Yamada played 5 games for Celtic.
Starts at 1
Off the bench: 4.
Unused substitutes: 2
Not in the matchday squad: 5
Total minutes: 147.
xz
