MAEDA ADVICE TO CELTIC MISFIT

CELTIC misfit Hayato Inamura has revealed he turned to Daizen Maeda in an effort to kick-start his career.

The skilful Japanese left-back joined the champions in a £300,000 four-year deal in the summer – but quickly found himself surplus to requirements.

Inamura, who impressed during his 55 minutes of his first appearance in the team’s 4-0 win over Newcastle United at Parkhead in July, found himself behind returning hero Kieran Tierney and on-loan Uruguayan international Marcelo Saracchi in the pecking order.

HAPPIER TIMES…Hayata Inamura after signing a four-year deal at Celtic.

Brendan Rodgers fielded the attack-minded defender in the 3-0 Premiership success over Livingston in Glasgow in August before the youngster came off the first-team radar.

Inamura is now back in his homeland after with Tokyo FC after agreeing a temporary transfer.

In his hour of need, the versatile 23-year-old back-four performer who can also play centre-half, turned to compatriot Maeda for some guidance.

Inamura admitted: “It was difficult in many ways. It was a tough time for me. There are things I can say and things I can’t say. But there really was a difference in football ability.

“I was confident I could reach that level if I could play in the games, but I wasn’t given the chance.

“And I had mental ups and downs.”

ON TARGET…Daizen Maeda slams Celtic into the lead against Dundee United at Tannadice last month – only for the team to collapse to a fourth successive defeat during Wilfried Nancy’s short-lived reign.

Inamura, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “Daizen Maeda told me I could definitely launch my career again if I returned home to Japan and that encouraged me.

“After thinking about what I needed for my career, I decided to move to FC Tokyo.

“I want to test myself and work hard to reach a higher level.

“My first priority will be to break into the team because there are good players here.”