Vissel Kobe forward Taisei Miyashiro a tantalising option for Celtic

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The Celtic Star

·04 de janeiro de 2025

Vissel Kobe forward Taisei Miyashiro a tantalising option for Celtic

Kyogo’s old club Vissel Kobe could have another gem waiting for Celtic. Forward Taisei Miyashiro is a tantalising option for Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers…

Taisei Miyashiro of Vissel Kobe during the AFC Champions League Elite East Region match between Vissel Kobe and Shandong Taishan at Kobe City Misaki Park Stadium on October 02, 2024 in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan. (Photo by Paul Miller/Getty Images)

Celtic’s disappointing Derby defeat in the first match of 2025 has intensified calls for reinforcements as the team faces a critical second half of the season. With a must-win Champions League home clash against Young Boys on Wednesday 22 January, strengthening the squad is no longer optional—it’s looking essential.

Vídeos OneFootball

Adding intrigue to this narrative, Celtic’s final Champions League fixture will be against Aston Villa, a team reportedly eyeing Vissel Kobe winger Taisei Miyashiro. Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is rumoured to be targeting the J-League star to bolster his attacking lineup. This raises the question: should Celtic look to the Japanese market once more, particularly at a player like the highly regarded Miyashiro?

Celtic’s Track Record with Japanese Players

Kyogo, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate with the Premier Sports Cup after Celtic’s victory over theRangers on 15 December 2024 at Hampden Park. Photo Kenny Ramsay

Under former manager Ange Postecoglou, Celtic made six Japanese signings, with mixed results. While three proved to be impactful, the jury is still out on Tomoki Iwata’s overall contribution during his time at the club before his summer 2024 move to Birmingham City. Yet, the undeniable success story is Kyogo Furuhashi, who arrived from none other than Vissel Kobe. Kyogo has been nothing short of prolific, solidifying his reputation as one of Celtic’s finest acquisitions in recent years.

Taisei Miyashiro of Vissel Kobe during the AFC Champions League Elite East Region match between Vissel Kobe and Shandong Taishan at Kobe City Misaki Park Stadium on October 02, 2024 in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan. (Photo by Paul Miller/Getty Images)

Interestingly, Vissel Kobe, fresh off securing back-to-back J-League titles, has once again produced a standout player in Taisei Miyashiro. The 23-year-old winger boasts an impressive record, with 11 goals in the J-League and four more in six AFC Champions League matches. So should Celtic return to this proven source for talent and make a move for Miyashiro?

Taisei Miyashiro then of Kawasaki Frontale in action during the AFC Champions League Group I match between Kawasaki Frontale and Johor Darul Ta’zim at Todoroki Stadium on November 28, 2023 in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Kenta Harada/Getty Images)

Lessons from Derby defeat

Celtic’s recent Glasgow Derby loss highlighted glaring issues, particularly in squad depth and attacking options. Fans were left frustrated by the lack of impact from key players, as well as the absence of effective alternatives on the bench. Neither Yang nor Luis Palma made an appearance from the substitutes’ bench—underscoring a pressing need for reinforcements in wide positions, with James Forrest currently sidelined for six weeks.

Given the underwhelming contributions of some of these fringe wingers, a deeper dive into the Far East market could provide Celtic with the fresh talent they desperately need. The Japanese league, in particular, has proven to be fertile ground for skilful and hardworking players who adapt well to European football.

Time for Action

With crucial fixtures looming and the transfer window still open, Celtic has a golden opportunity to explore the Japanese market once more. Players like Taisei Miyashiro, with their proven track record and ability to perform on big stages, could offer Celtic the firepower and creativity they currently lack.

The question now is whether the club will take this chance to strengthen the squad—or risk falling short in our domestic and European ambitions?

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