We’ve yet to find out if Inamura stands up to Scottish football’s bruising battles | OneFootball

There’s been a lot to like about Hayato Inamura this pre-season. The £250,000 fee Celtic paid J-League side Albirex Niigata for the 23-year-old left-back already looks like it could well be a bargain — and we’re not even out of July yet…

Hayato Inamura of Celtic Cork City v Celtic, Pre Season Friendly, SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork, Ireland – 08 Jul 2025Cork SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh Ireland. Photo Lorraine O’Sullivan Shutterstock

He’s had two solid showings amongst the pre-season games he has played so far — first against Cork City and then a slick 55-minute performance in the 4-0 win over Newcastle United at the weekend, and that’s been quite exciting.

Perhaps more tellingly, it’s turned the head of Brendan Rodgers, who just weeks ago was openly considering loaning Inamura out for game time. Now? It seems the manager’s position has shifted.

“One hundred percent,” Rodgers said, as reported by Daily Record, when asked if he’d had a change of heart after watching the Japanese defender in action. “The feeling from us all was – Okay, we’ll bring him in and see how he does pre-season, thinking that he may need to get out and play. He’s so smooth with the ball. Not only that, he plays forward. You’ve got to have the personality to take the ball and play and he has that. I’ve got to say, he surprised me.”

Hayato Inamura of Celtic controls the ball during the pre-season friendly match between Celtic and Newcastle United at Celtic Park on July 19, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

And Rodgers isn’t the only one who’s been impressed. Belgian midfielder Arne Engels added his own endorsement, saying – “You could see he’s really adapting really well and he’s also good in the group. He’s a guy who is really wanting to learn and wanting to try his best. And you can see that he has a lot of quality.

“I’m really happy for him that he can show that also now at Celtic Park to everybody what he’s up to. I think we will see a lot of him.”

And he might be right. But let’s give these performances a bit of context. Because while it’s been a bright and encouraging start for Inamura, we all know pre-season can also be a bit of a mirage.

Hayato Inamura of Celtic reacts Cork City v Celtic, Pre Season Friendly, Football, SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork, Ireland – 08 July 2025 Cork SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh Ireland Photo Lorraine O Sullivan Shutterstock

There’s no real jeopardy, no stakes, and certainly no bruising tackles. The physicality dial is turned way down, and you rarely see a player ‘leave one on’ during an aerial challenge or crunch into a 50/50. It’s essentially football on soft mode.

And for a player like Inamura, who’s statistically profiled as a progressive, forward-thinking defender, this time of year is tailor-made to show off positive attributes. There’s space. There’s time. And there’s the freedom to roam up that left flank without fear of a hammer thrower flying into your ribs at full pelt.

So, while it’s great to see those strengths in his profile come to life — the smooth passing, the intelligent forward runs, the composure — we’ll only know the full picture when the real stuff kicks off in August.

That’s when the Scottish game starts to bare its teeth. That’s when we find out if Inamura can come close to Tierney for tenacity as well as technical quality.

With Tierney being back at the club, Rodgers has already been vocal about the need for dependable cover in that position. It’s tempting to think Inamura might be that man. But it’s far too early to call off the search just yet. Do that now, and we might repent at leisure.

Sporting CP v Celtic – Pre-Season Friendly Kieran Tierney of Celtic FC runs with the ball during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Sporting de Lisboa and Celtic FC at Estadio Algarve in Faro, Portugal, on July 16, 2025. Faro Portugal Photo DAX Images

What Celtic have done however is buy themselves a window to assess — the month of August — to take a proper look at Inamura when the Premiership and then the Champions League qualifiers roll around. If he can stand up to the rigours of the Scottish game — the shoulder barges, the elbows, the relentless pressing — then excellent, we’ve likely unearthed a gem – for a pittance.

But if the intensity exposes any frailties in his ability to win duels or compete physically, then there’s still time to act. Time to scour the market and find a player who can complement Tierney, not just back him up.

There are certainly encouraging signs with Hayato Inamura, yes. But it’s also worth reserving judgment for now until a Stephen Robinson team of Rugby League rejects get tore in.

Niall J

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