JAPANESE defender Yuki Kobayashi is on his way to Celtic as soon as the transfer reopens in January.
However, boss Ange Postecoglou is remaining tightlipped on the move that will see the Vissel Kobe centre-back reunite with former team-mate Kyogo Furuhashi at the champions, as CQN reported earlier this week.
Kobayashi will also join up with compatriots Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi as the Hoops boss makes his fifth raid on the J-League.
The 22-year-old left-sided back-four performer is as good as a Celtic player, according to reports in his homeland, but Postecoglou refused to name names or go into specifics when he was asked about potential activity at the turn of the year.
FOUR-MIDABLE…Celtic’s quartet of Japanese stars, Yosuke Ideguchi, Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi as the Hoops celebrate their title win after the 1-1 draw with Dundee United at Tannadice on May 11.
Back in January, Hatate, Maeda and Ideguchi were welcomed to Glasgow as well as MK Dons midfielder Matt O’Riley and young Irish striker Johnny Kenny, who is now on loan at Queen’s Park.
Postecoglou, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “We have gone early on the January market, haven’t we? It’s just into November.
“We have a strategy in terms of making sure we are always looking to improve our squad and improve the way we do things.
“Every window gives you that opportunity. We’ve had some plans in place for January for a while now.
“Hopefully, over the next few weeks we will be able to conclude some of that.”
The focus tonight, though, will be putting on a good show in the final Champions League Group F match against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Real Madrid v Celtic this evening – only in your champion CQN.
