YOSUKE IDEGUCHI is poised to leave Celtic in next month’s transfer window to return to Japan.
The 26-year-old midfielder, who joined along with Reo Hatate and Daizen Meada in Ange Postecoglou’s triple swoop on the J-League at the turn of the year, may be heading back to Gamba Osaka for the third time.
Ideguchi has been unfortunate with injuries in his time at the champions and was sidelined after a wayward challenge in his first start in the Scottish Cup at Alloa shortly after his arrival in Scotland.
HEADING FOR THE EXIT…Yosuke Ideguchi at the end of the 2-2 draw with Blackburn Rovers at Parkhead in July.
He played in the pre-season friendlies and had an outing during the Sydney Super Cup, but has failed to figure in a competitive fixture in this campaign.
Ideguchi has dropped down the pecking order for the anchorman role with Callum McGregor, Matt O’Riley, Aaron Mooy, David Turnbull, James McCarthy and on-loan Oliver Abildgaard utilised in that role since the start of the term.
The former Japanese international has been plagued by ankle and leg injuries in his 11 months at the club and it looks as though he will cut his losses and return home, according to a report in the Scottish Sun.
Ideguchi also had a year-long spell at Leeds United before going back to Gamba Osaka in 2019.
Now he could complete the hat-trick of signings for his former club, but J-league rivals Nagoya Grampus are also said to be interested.
