Expert issues ‘incredible’ Celtic claim after Hatate and Maeda news
It will be “incredibly difficult” for the trio of Japanese stars just signed by Celtic to physically and mentally adapt to their new environment.
That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in fitness and data analysis.
The Hoops confirmed last month (31 December) that Reo Hatate, Yosuke Ideguchi and Daizen Maeda had all signed from J1 League sides.
The utility player, forward and midfielder all played up until the end of the Japanese season on 4 December.
Hatate and Maeda had also been named in the Japan squad for the Kirin Cup clash against Uzbekistan next Friday week (21 January).
But per the Scottish Sun on Wednesday (5 January), the duo have been freed up and could now face Hibernian next Monday week (17 January.)
Dinnery asserts that the duo, as well as Ideguchi who was not named in the Japan squad, will find it challenging to make a fast start to life in Scotland.
“It all comes down to the individual and how quickly they can adapt,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“We don’t know how much they’ve been involved with their previous teams after the season ended.
“But it’s a new environment. There are lifestyle changes, language barriers, so many things to consider outside of football.
“The fact that three players are coming across together will certainly help It’s a big gamble if you’re plucking just one player out of another country.
“When you bring players in January, you need them to deliver fairly quickly. We know that it can be incredibly difficult.
“Players who succeed after coming in midway through the season are the exception rather than the norm.”
Maeda, Hatate and countryman Kyogo Furuhashi are all expected to feature in Japan’s World Cup qualifiers on 27 January and 1 February.
The clash against Hibs will be Celtic’s first after the winter break.
In other news, Alex McLeish claims Celtic are emulating “world-class” Man City after latest deal is done.