Pundit cites Moutinho as ‘brilliant’ Celtic transfer is completed
Alex McLeish has suggested Celtic may have a new “talisman” in the shape of Yosuke Ideguchi.
The former Rangers manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted a new midfielder was a priority for the Bhoys during the January transfer window.
Celtic confirmed last week (31 December) they had secured the signing of Ideguchi, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate.
The 25-year-old midfielder has joined Celtic from J-League side Gamba Osaka.
McLeish suggested the Hoops have needed someone to “dictate” play in the middle of the park.
As such, he suggested Ideguchi could be the most important of the three new arrivals.
“I do feel that, in central midfield, they did need a kind of talisman,” McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge.
“A guy who just knows what he’s doing in central midfield, much the same as Wolves’ Portuguese players.
“Wolverhampton Wanderers have great Portuguese players in there who have a great understanding of where to go and the passes to make.
“That is, for me, one of the key parts of the team. Someone who dictates in midfield.
“Moutinho at Wolves, fellas like that, they all have fantastic confidence and belief in themselves. They just know their way about the pitch. Brilliant, makes the game look easy.”
Ideguchi has returned to Europe for a second time after a spell at Leeds United.
He failed to make a single appearance for the Whites and was sent on loan to Cultural Leonesa and Gruther Furth.
Able to play in a defensive, central or attacking midfield role, Ideguchi also has 15 caps under his belt for Japan.
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