Latest news with #Yamada
STV News
3 days ago
- Sport
- STV News
Shin Yamada embracing his early days as a Celtic player
Shin Yamada is embracing his early days as a Celtic player as the Japan international gets used to life outside his comfort zone. The 25-year-old forward had spent his entire senior career with Kawasaki Frontale in his homeland prior to joining the Hoops on a four-year contract just over a week ago. Yamada has been in Italy with his new team-mates over the past week training and competing at the Como Cup. 'I'm glad to be a part of this Celtic team,' he said, speaking through a translator, in a club interview. 'This is the first time I have moved to a different club, so I am enjoying that. The quality of the team is very high, so I'm enjoying the football side of things. 'The first league game is coming soon, and we'll play in different competitions, so I would like to score a lot of goals and share good moments with the fans.' Yamada made an eye-catching first appearance for Celtic in Como on Saturday night and scored the winning penalty as his new side defeated Saudi Arabian team Al-Ahli in a shoot-out following a 1-1 draw. 'I'm happy to score the last goal to win the game,' he said. 'I wish I could have scored during the game, but in the end I contributed so it's good.' Celtic captain Callum McGregor believes his side are in good fettle as they prepare to kick off their William Hill Premiership title defence at home to St Mirren next Sunday. 'Pre-season has been good,' the midfielder said before the Hoops flew from Italy back to Scotland on Sunday. 'Every season throws up different challenges of trying to get up to speed, trying to integrate new players and find the rhythm of the team. 'At times it's looked really good and there are always bits we can brush up on. 'It's been a good five or six-week block. The boys have worked really hard. Everyone knows the objectives and we're ready to go. The big test for us will be next week. 'We'll be ready for St Mirren. We know that they always give you a tough game. The start of the week will be nice and chilled, and then we'll ramp it up as we go. 'We've been here a million times, so we know what to expect. The players know what's expected of them as well, so come Sunday we have to be ready.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Reo Hatate turns Celtic super agent as key role in transfer drive revealed
Shin Yamada has lifted the lid on the role the frontman played in his move to the Scottish champions It broke Shin Yamada's heart having to say goodbye to his hometown club in Japan. But the hitman is convinced he'll find love again at Celtic. The frontman was in tears after his big send-off at Kawasaki Frontale with fans chanting his name and even holding up Scottish flags ahead of his £1.5m move to Glasgow. Yamada admitted it was an emotional experience that even left him wondering If he'd made the right call to move to the other side of the world. The feeling didn't last long though as he's always had his heart set in being a success abroad. The 25-year-old got his first take of action for Celt's in Saturday's Como Cup penalty shootout win against Al Ahli – who beat Yamada's Kawasaki side in the Asian Champions League Final back in May. A friendly victory couldn't be classed as revenge but the striker was delighted to bury the winning penalty having looked lively during his second half cameo. Yamada is up and running and ready to throw himself into life at Celtic. He said: 'I am 25 now so I'm not really young any more. 'I wanted to challenge myself. I had options to stay in Japan as well but felt the decision I made was good for my career. 'Kawasaki Frontale is the club where I grew up. It's the club that took care of me since I was in their Academy and I always wanted to contribute to the club. 'But I also had another dream I wanted to pursue for my career. It was sad for me to leave – but I had to make that decision. 'It was emotional for me. That is a love I really love but by coming to Celtic I believe I can improve myself more. That's why I made my decision.' Yamada didn't take a blind leap of faith coming to Scotland. He's seen some of his fellow Japanese stars soar with Celts and he fancied getting on board. He revealed he was sold on the move after a chat with midfielder Reo Hatate and he's already got cracking with learning the lingo. He said: 'The staff from at Celtic have told me some things. I have also done some research of my own. 'I have been speaking with Reo and the other guys. I had a video call with Reo before I came over and we had a good chat about everything. 'He gave me some good recommendations. Having Daizen and Ina here as other Japanese players has also helped me. The club even has an excellent interpreter who has helped me on and off the pitch. 'I plan to learn English myself, having started studying in Japan.I will study more when I get to Scotland but at the moment the language seems very fast!' Yamada insisted he's a quick learner though – on and off the park. He knows he's following in the footsteps of several Japanese smash hits with Celts but wants to be his own man. The frontman – who is part of his national squad – has admired the likes of Kyogo and Daizen Maeda at Parkhead. But it's a Frontale legend he looks up to the most. Yamada broke into he first team towards the end of club hero Yu Kobayashi's 14 year stint in Kawasaki, in a period where his side secured promotion and merged as regular J-League winners and Asia Champions League competitors. Yamada picked up a lot from his mentor and he's hoping it pays dividends for the Hoops. When asked about his own heroes, he said: 'There is player called Yu Kobayashi who played for Kawasaki. 'I used to watch him when I played for the academy. When I went to the top teams I used to watch him closely. 'I liked him personally and also his mentality. He's one of the players I admired.' Yamada got a taste for glory in the Asia Champions League – and he'd love a repeat in the European one. Frontale charged all the way to the Final last season, beating top sides from China before running into big spending Al Ahli. It proved to be a step too far as Riyad Mahrez and co were too strong and lifted the trophy with a 2-0 win. Yamada savoured the run though and he's determined to help Celts get to the group stages in Euro version. The Hoops face a perilous play-off in less than a month and the striker admitted it would be special to stroll out against the cream of the continent. He said: 'Obviously the Champions League is something that I have admired. I have been dreaming of playing there. 'If the team is doing well in the tournament then that would be great. And if I can be involved in those great results then that would be something I would be individually grateful for.' Yamada has his own dreams but he is determined to be a team player. It's early days for the attacker but the first impression was positive and he's out to impress more in the coming weeks. The hitman just wants to play his part and he said: 'It's more about the collective of the team. 'I have high confidence I can score goals at that level but without my team-mates I cannot score so I need to improve my connections and communications with the rest of the team. 'That's what I need to improve quickly.'
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Shin Yamada tells Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers exactly why he can succeed Kyogo
The striker netted his first goal for the Hoops' in the Como Cup clash with Al Ahli Shin Yamada has told Brendan Rodgers can be just as deadly as Kyogo at Celtic. The Hoops boss is desperate to add more firepower after Nicholas Kuhn 's exit and Jota's long-term injury. Celts also failed to land a replacement for Kyogo when the frontman departed in January. Yamada landed on a £1.5m deal from Kawasaki Frontale but Rodgers admitted the frontman could be one for the future. The Japan ace is convinced he can be a man for the here and now – and he's ready to fill the Kyogo void. Yamada – who notched the winning penalty against Al-Ahli in the Como Cup at the weekend – said: 'Obviously I heard all the news about Kyogo scoring goals for Celtic. 'As players, I would say some parts of our game is similar. In front of goal, especially. 'However, I have something different which is speed and power. With that, I hope to perform as well as him and contribute to Celtic. 'I have speed at one-v-ones. I like to run behind the defenders. That is one of my strengths.' Yamada was denied a debut against Ajax in Italy last week due to red tape but got his first taste against the Saudi Arabian big guns. The 25-year-old had a goal disallowed for a narrow offside call but showed bottle to step up and convert the winning penalty in the third-place play-off. The Japan squad man caught the eye in his second half showing but he insisted there is still much more to come. He said: 'I am happy I took part in the game. And, of course, I am happy to have scored the winning penalty. 'I thought I had scored in the second-half but was off-side. I wish I had the pass earlier. 'But I have only come to the club for a week so we need to understand each other's strengths better and have better connections. 'I think that part will come soon. I am obviously a striker so personally my job is to score a lot of goals and I think that's what I'm being asked to do at this club. 'I need to demand from my team-mates that they give me a pass in certain moments. 'That is a part of my game I need to improve with my team-mates.'
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘I have something different' – new Celtic star Shin Yamada reveals traits that set him apart from Hoops hero Kyogo
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NEW Bhoy Shin Yamada believes he's quicker and stronger than ex-Celtic hero Kyogo Furuhashi. The £1.7million striker scored the winning spot-kick in a Como Cup shootout against Al-Ahli on Saturday night, after making his Hoops bow from the bench. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 3 Shin Yamada has revealed the traits that set him apart from Kyogo Furuhashi Credit: Getty 3 Furuhashi was a fan favourite at Parkhead but left for Rennes in January Credit: PA 3 Yamada hit the winning penalty in the Como Cup against Al-Ahli on his Celts debut Credit: Alamy And the Japanese ace says he's now determined to follow in his countryman's footsteps and become a massive fans' favourite. Yamada, 25, said: "I heard all the news about Kyogo scoring goals for Celtic. "As players, I would say some parts of our game is similar, maybe in front of goal especially. "However, I have something different which is speed and power. "With that, I hope to perform as well as him and contribute to Celtic. "I have speed at one-v-ones, I like to run behind the defenders, that is one of my strengths." Yamada's Hoops debut ended up being delayed until Saturday night. He was meant to play against Ajax in the first clash in the Como Cup on Thursday after being named as a substitute. But it was discovered at the last minute the club hadn't registered him with Uefa in time. It meant he only took part in the warm-up before being confined to the sidelines for the night. Celtic stsr warms up before pulling OUT of match minutes before KO The hitman's paperwork clearance finally came through, though, which allowed him to make a second-half appearance against Al-Ahli. Quick-footed Yamada almost made the perfect first impression with a bursting run and finish but saw the goal disallowed for a marginal offside. Then he stepped up in the shootout — after the 90 minutes ended deadlocked at 1-1 — to score the winning spot-kick for Brendan Rodgers' men. Yamada was pleased enough with his brief contribution, but believes he'll improve once he gets to know all his team-mates better. He added: "I am happy I took part in the game. "And of course, I am happy to have scored the winning penalty. "I thought I had scored in the second half but was offside, I wish I had the pass earlier. "But I have only come to the club for a week, so we need to understand each other's strengths better and have better connections. "I'm confident that part will come soon. "I am obviously a striker so personally my job is to score a lot of goals, and I know that's what I'm being asked to do at this club. "I need to demand from my team-mates that they give me a pass in certain moments. "That is a part of my game I need to improve with the team." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Who impressed as Celtic end pre-season with Al Ahli clash
It was a seventh friendly clash for Brendan Rodgers' men over the past few weeks, and their second in the Como Cup. From a 5-1 defeat to Ajax last time out, the Celtic boss changed his full team, naming a totally different starting 11. The Parkhead side took their time to create anything of note, and it was the Asian champions who broke the deadlock on 22 minutes. The ever-skilful Riyad Mahrez floated a fine ball deep into the back post, with which Brazil international Gelano connected sweetly via a scissor kick. Vocal between the sticks, Viljami Sinisalo could do little to prevent the powerful opener. He was heard loud and clear inside the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, constantly barking instructions at his teammates. One of those was Hayato Inamura, who once more didn't look out of place in green and white. Read more: The Japanese left-back remained impressive on the ball and wasn't afraid to gallop forward when presented with the opportunity to do so. His fellow countryman and new signing Shin Yamada was Celtic's sole half-time change, as he replaced Johnny Kenny up top. Just minutes into the second 45, though, it was a defender who got on the scoresheet, Auston Trusty sweeping home from close range after James Forrest diverted Luke McCowan's corner back across the face of goal. Yamada found the back of the net not long after, although he was adjudged to have been offside when Marco Tilio, who didn't do himself any favours with his display, played a pass in behind the Al Ahli defence. Early impressions of the Japanese forward are that he is fast, powerful, and not afraid to go for goal. In the closing stages, the Saudi side had two golden opportunities to win the match. The ball fell to Eid Al-Muwallad on the edge of the six-yard box, although Trusty made a heroic block to deny the midfielder. Firas Al-Buraikan should've scored seconds later. With an open goal at his mercy, the striker could only divert his effort wide. Luke McCowan then hit the post with five to play as Celtic sought a go-ahead goal. It was a fine effort from the edge of the box that looked destined for the back of the net. It ultimately wasn't to be for either side late on, and a penalty shootout ensued. In the end, Celtic ran out 5-3 winners, as Yamada's spot-kick into the bottom-left corner proved crucial, along with a smart Sinisalo save. Celtic return to competitive action next Sunday when they face St Mirren in their league opener.
