Akihito Ido reckons that Celtic’s five Japanese stars, all brought to the club by Ange Postecoglou, will have no problems at all working under the soon to be appointed new manager Brendan Rodgers.
The spin in the mainstream media is all about Postecoglou coming back for Kyogo, or Daizen Maeda looking to play at a higher level (that was interpreted as wanting a move from Celtic but that was not what the winger was talking about as he discussed improving his game), or Reo Hatate set to get a big money move to England. We’ve also had a story about Matt O’Riley attracting interest from England and Germany.
Former Celt Charlie Mulgrew knows the score…
Akihito Ido is the agent and interpreter who represents Kyogo and spent 18 months in Glasgow as a permanent Celtic employee before returning to Japan in January to be with his family. He is keeping a close eye on everything that is going on back in Glasgow but sees no reason why the Celtic support should be concerned about the managerial change unsettling our hugely popular Japanese Bhoys.
“I don’t think the new manager will struggle with the situation. These players have been playing in Scotland for some time now. They know how things work. They understand the club,” Ido told Daily Mail.
“Japanese players are very dedicated and professional and, whoever the manager is, be it Brendan Rodgers or whoever, I am sure they will do their best for the club. I really don’t think there will be any struggle for them. You know, I think they will be okay.”
And he explained the thinking among the Japanese players at Celtic and the influence of the legendary
Shunsuke Nakamura has had on each of the current crop of Japanese players at the club.
“For all Japanese players at Celtic, the case of Shunsuke Nakamura makes them think deeply about things. Nakamura became a part of the history of Celtic. He became part of the club’s fabric.
“Currently, a lot of young players move after one year or two years. And, yes, maybe some will want to find happiness somewhere else. But, at the same time, I think they want to leave their names in the history of Celtic like Nakamura.
“We don’t know what is going to happen or where Kyogo is going to be. During these two seasons, he has learned how to deal with new environments, a new culture, new managers and new team-mates.
“I know him from the last five years and I have seen him really grow up and mature in terms of his maturity and physicality. He is getting sharper. So I am not worried about his next challenge. He is going to find his way.”
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