ANGE POSTECOGLOU is “delighted” at the prospect of leading Celtic against his former team Yokohama F. Marinos during their pre-season Japan tour.
It has been confirmed the Hoops boss will face his old club in the first game of the trip on Wednesday July 19 with an 11am UK kick-off.
There will be a special return for the Greek-Australian gaffer to the 72,000-seater Nissan Stadium.
FAR EASTERN PROMISE…Ange Postecoglou is looking forward to facing Yokohama F Marinos on Celtic’s tour of Japan in July.
Postecoglou, who left the J-League outfit to join the Parkhead club in June 2021, said: “I’m delighted to be taking Celtic to Japan this summer and it’s a tour made even more special by the prospect of facing my old team, Yokohama F. Marinos.
“It’s a great club that holds some special memories for me and I look forward to meeting up with friends there in July.”
FIVE JAPANESE AND AN ENGLISHMAN…Joe Hart joins the Far East recruits Kyogo Furuhashi, Yuki Kobayashi, Tomoki Iwata, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda after the 2-0 title-clinching win over Hearts in Edinburgh.
Daizen Maeda will also be making an emotional comeback and the Japanese international speaking to the Celtic website, added: “I’m really looking forward to our pre-season visit to Japan and, in particular, returning to play against Yokohama F. Marinos.
“It is a club which has played a major role in my career and, of course, it will be a pleasure to return home with Celtic and see my friends at the club and the Marinos supporters.”
Midfielder Tomoki Iwata, who won the J-League Player of the Year award last year at the club, will also take part of the special reunion.
The champions are also planning a visit to South Korea where striker Oh Hyeon-gyu played for K-League side Suwon Bluewings before his £2.5million January switch to Scotland.
