SHIN YAMADA made a superb first impression on boss Brendan Rodgers when he lashed in the winning penalty-kick against Saudi superstars Al-Ahli in Como last night.
And the new Bhoy’s deadly accuracy from the spot plus an eye-catching 45 minutes after replacing Johnny Kenny could see him gatecrashing the Celtic manager’s Champions League plans.
Yamada, a £1.3million arrival from J-League outfit Kawasaki Frontale last weekend, saw his Hoops debut chances scuppered by red tape during the week when he had to sit out the loss against Ajax.
However, the frontman got the green light to face the Saudis and he took the opportunity to impress his boss.
WAIT FOR IT…Shin Yamada is poised to strike the winning penalty-kick in Como.
Yamada joined team-mates Arne Engels, Ben Summers, Luke McCowan and Stephen Welsh in making an impeccable job from 12 yards after the Como Cup third place encounter had ended 1-1 with Auston Trusty claiming the Hoops’ leveller.
A beaming Rodgers said: “It was nice for Shin. It’s not been easy for him when you think he’s only just come into the club.
“He’s come to a new culture and new way of working with a real intensity. But he’s worked really hard in training.
“Sadly, he didn’t get the run-out the other night, but the plan was to give him 45 minutes on this occasion and I felt he worked really hard when he came on.”
The Irishman, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “He showed good composure, he’s very quick and strong.
THE HEROES…stopper Viljami Sinisalo and striker Shin Yamada celebrate at the end. Images courtesy Celtic TV.
“He wants to get in behind and, from the wee bits I’ve seen of him so far, he just needs to get into more decisive positions to score.
“We are a team that creates a lot of opportunities. But he’s strong and he can press the game.
“The challenge is there for everyone.
“All the players want to be involved in that and there is enough time for all the players to be able to do that.”
Celtic will be in the hat for the Champions League play-off round draw a week tomorrow where they could face Slovan Bratislava, a team they thrashed 5-1 at Parkhead in last season’s run in Europe’s most prestigious tournament.
Rodgers added: “I haven’t really looked at it. Whoever we get we will accept and fingers crossed over two legs we can get there.”
YAMADA SPOT ON FOR DREAM DEBUT
