Shin Yamada

Brendan Rodgers has defended his decision to bring Johnny Kenny into Celtic's match against St Mirren last week ahead of new signing Shin Yamada.


After making an appearance in Celtic's final pre-season match against Al-Ahli in the Como Cup, some supporters had hoped for Yamada's competitive debut in their Scottish Premiership opener against the Buddies.

However, the Japanese forward was an unused substitute, with Kenny preferred to make an impact in place of Adam Idah with the scores deadlocked at 0-0.

Celtic went on to win the match 1-0 thanks to a late Luke McCowan goal.




Asked about the decision in today's media conference, Rodgers appeared unhappy with the line of questioning, stating, "I don't know if you've watched the game, but I put Johnny Kenny on. You can only put 11 players on.

"We have a big squad, so we took Adam off, and we put Johnny on, and in that period we scored. We put two eights on to freshen the team, and one of them scored. I can only play 11 players.

"I know in football people's values grow when they're not playing. But I always decide what I think is right for the game.

"If Shin or someone else doesn't go on, it's because in that moment, I felt the game needed something else. Johnny Kenny's done really well for us over pre-season. He's worked very hard, he's been intense, and he's created goals. He's done well.

"If I'm to answer every question of the player that you don't play or play, then we'd be sitting all day and night."

There's intrigue about what Yamada can offer Celtic following his £1.5m move from Kawasaki Frontale last month.

The 25-year-old scored 19 league goals in the 2024 J-League season, with Rodgers talking up his intensity, power and pace after signing a four-year contract with the Scottish champions.

 

I know no coach likes being questioned about substitutes, but he seemed a bit hostile when asked about Shin..

I said it before half jokingly, but I feel he's reluctant to play him in case he smashes it at the board go.. that'll do you Brendan..

 

Yeah I thought it was strange how much he snipped back at that. Was as if someone had just talked dirt on his sons name Johnny Kenny haha

 

I doubt he ever wanted Yamada in the first place. He referred to him, Inamura and Osmand as 'club signings' and said he would be interested to see what the Japanese pair had to offer when they arrived. That is not the talk of someone who was eager to bring those players to the football club.

 

Aye, definitely..

But, he looks a player so he needs to be careful he doesn't cut off his ample nose etc...

 

Our boards failings shouldn't be taken out on Inamura and Yamada.

Inamura had a good pre season and Yamada looked excellent before January, both deserve a proper chance.

 

If (IF) he goes Idah > Kenny again and Inamura doesn't at least make the bench Rodgers is seriously at it, we all know we need more players in but not picking players to prove a point isn't on, sad thing is I think he has enough arrogance/ego about him to actually do that.

 

* was that from Rodgers today when asked about Yamada? What a strange response to a fair question. Borderline embarrassing from him tbh.

Hope Shin gets some minutes on Sunday, am choking to see him play.

 

What was said mate?

 

Guy asked why Shin didn't come on, is he still a bit rusty or whatever....Rodgers properly takes the hump and gives it well if you watched the game I brought on Johnny Kenny, can only play 11 players etc. Was more the way he said it thought, came across pure snide as *. Didn't like it one bit.

 

If Rodgers is deciding not to feature Yamada over Kenny in order to send a message, it's poor.

You don't bring a young boy over from Japan and start * about with his career. If he's good enough and better than Kenny or Idah, get him in the side.

If he isn't as good, that's obviously a different concern.

 

I think it's pretty evident Shin and Inamura were not Rodgers signings bore in the fact Inamura never made the squad despite being one of the standouts pre season and that Shin never got on at all even with how the game was playing out then when you add in his comments on both when they were signed it's questionable at best

 

He's transparent as * when he gets like that. Absolutely no doubt in my mind he's ignoring Yamada and Inamura to send a message. Proper * poor if that's the case, * with young boy's careers after travelling half way across the world.

It'll be very interesting to see if they feature on Sunday.

 

Would love to see him on the right, on Sunday..

Be lucky to make the squad the way Rodgers is going on.

 

Has he played on the right at any point? Dunno if it's been said and I've missed it or that, but if he has I'd be all for it.

 

Aye, he's played there according to Transfermarket

 

The friendly he played he showed up well going through the middle and on both sides of the pitch. Tenacious pacy and direct. Get him in from the start. Don't let Aberdeen defenders settle

 

Unfortunately I get the overwhelming feeling he's going to be used as a weapon by Brendan in this impasse with the board and we'll hardly see him. Maybe come on as a sub if we're a few up and looking comfortable but can't see him starting or coming on if the game hangs in the balance. Can see him not even making the bench some games.

 

Cheers, that's interesting. Probably zero chance Rodgers goes with it but would like to see it regardless.