Shin Yamada ready to make demands from his Celtic teammates

Yamada scored the winning penalty in Saturday evening’s penalty shoot-out victory against Al Ahli after the two sides could not be separated in 90 minutes. However, Celtic’s newest recruit had to wait to play for his new club because UEFA registration rules made him ineligible just an hour before the Hoops suffered a 5-1 loss to Ajax last week.

Yamada’s pace was there for all to see, and he was impressive in the second half during Brendan Rodgers’ side’s encounter with the Saudi Arabian outfit. The 25 year-old was unfortunate not to grab the games winning goal after he mistimed his run which led to the linesman putting up his flag, but the confident finish was encouraging.

Speaking via Daily Record post-match, Yamada said: “I thought I had scored in the second half but was offside, I wish I had the pass earlier. But I have only come to the club for a week, so we need to understand each other’s strengths better and have better connections.”

“I need to demand that my team-mates pass in certain moments. That part of my game is one I need to improve. I have a lot of confidence. However, without my team-mates I can’t score and I need to build that relationship with them.”

In similar fashion to his new Celtic teammate Reo Hatate, Yamada transferred from J-League side Kawasaki Frontale and won the Super Cup prior to joining Celtic.

Moving on from Frontale and away from his home was a challenging decision but one Yamada was willing to take on.

Yamada added: “I’m not too young anymore and I wanted to challenge myself,” he said. “I had the option to stay in Japan as well, but the decision I made was good for my career.

“It’s the club I grew with and the one that took care of me since the academy. I wanted to contribute more but I had another dream to pursue for my career. It was very sad and in a way regretful, but I had to make that decision.”

“It was emotional and it’s a club I really love, but by coming to Celtic I feel I can improve more and that’s why I made the decision. The Champions League is a competition I have admired and have dreamed of playing in.”

Conor Spence (just back from Como!)

Today we remember David Potter, who passed away two years ago today. We want to say thank you to everyone who has already pre-ordered David’s last ever Celtic book, Celtic in the Eighties, which will be published on the fifth day of September by Celtic Star Books.

Celtic legend Danny McGrain has written a wonderful foreword for the book and we will have a limited number of copies available that will be signed by Danny McGrain – if you have already pre-ordered your copy of Celtic in the Eighties you will be getting a signed copy. If you would like to receive a signed copy by Danny McGrain please order now as the number of signed books will be limited. 

David’s widow Rosemary has also written a ‘thank you message’ to the Celtic support for David’s last book. It’s a wonderful tribute to David from his wife on behalf of his entire family that extends right out to his Celtic family. That’s you, me and everyone else reading this or anyone who has Celtic in their hearts.

The link to pre-order your copy of Celtic in the Eighties, signed by the legendary Celtic captain Danny McGrain is below. Celtic in the Eighties is a fitting way for David Potter to sign off as one of Celtic ‘s foremost historians. We think you’ll love it.