Opinion: Why Celtic midfielder’s exit shows Ange’s hardline transfer stance

Originally posted on The Celtic Star | Last updated 2/6/23

Ange Postecoglou has given his blessing for Yosuke Ideguchi to leave the club this month. The Japanese midfielder has been limited to just six appearances since arriving from Gamba Osaka owing to injuries and the form of others.

According to The Sun, Postecoglou has signed off on the player returning to the J-League with Fukuoka set to seal a short term deal.

Guchi has passed his anniversary at Celtic, along with those he arrived with prior to the January window opening. However, unlike his colleagues Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda, Guchi has failed to make the impact that he had hoped he would have.

Game time will be limited for the 26-year-old and Ange will know that the second half of the season will leave limited scope for a player to get a good run of games that has failed to make his mark thus far.

Guchi would benefit from a loan move that will see him get regular football and allow him to get himself fit again. Ange clearly rated the player enough to bring him across to Celtic Park but opportunities have been limited for the midfielder.

Ange has shown, especially in the last January window, that he is not willing to get attached to players even if they have served him well in the past. Giorgos Giakoumakis’ exit to Atlanta United showcases the fact that he is willing to make big calls for the benefit of the team and the club’s progress.

This article first appeared on The Celtic Star and was syndicated with permission.

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