Sports Poets Society

J-League expert backs new signing to find his feet and the net at Parkhead Celtic scouts know what they’re doing. They’re not looking at players who are going to sell shirts, they’re looking at players who are going to contribute 19 Jul 2025 - Glasgow Times Josh McCafferty Exclusive interview THE best adjective to describe how the majority of Celtic supporters are feeling about the arrival of little-known Japanese striker Shin Yamada is underwhelmed. When Brendan Rodgers lost Kyogo Furuhashi, now at Birmingham City , to Stade Rennais in January , he wanted a new No. 9. Few would have thought that seven months on, he would finally have been granted his wish in the form of another forward from the land of the rising sun. Twenty-five years of age, Yamada has been plying his trade with Kawasaki Frontale since 2023, after spending four years at Toin University of Yokohama. Four goals in 22 Kawasaki appearances in 2025 will not fill the Parkhead faithful with confidence, although J-League ...

Shin Yamada in action for Frontale, a J1 League  club  where the striker has caught the eye after impressing last season Frontale frontman could be the answer as Rodgers closes in on deal 11 Jul 2025 - Glasgow Times Ryan McGinlay Analysis CELTIC and Japan have enjoyed a largely fruitful relationship in the club’s modern history. However, before this summer, the permanent signing of Tomoki Iwata from Yokohama F Marinos two years ago represented the last time Celtic conducted business in the Japanese market . Many had assumed that the Japan-Scotland pathway had been effectively consigned to the history books after the departure of Ange Postecoglou . Alas, that belief has been debunked this summer with the arrival of Hayato Inamura from Albirex Niigata, as well as the imminent signing of Kawasaki Frontale’s Shin Yamada. Though the former has been touted as a long-term project player, despite impressing versus Cork City, Yamada seemingly represents the club actively shopping in Ja...