BRENDAN RODGERS has revealed the reason from Shin Yamada’s no-show in Celtic’s 5-1 loss to Ajax in Como last night.
The Hoops fans were hoping to get their first glimpse of the Japanese international striker after he completed his £1.3million move from J-League outfit Kawasaki Frontale at the weekend.
Yamada was named in the manager’s squad and there were hopes he would be introduced to the action at some stage in the second-half against the Amsterdam club.
Puzzlingly, there was no sign of the latest recruit as he was removed from the stand-by squad and Rodgers cleared up the mystery after the match.
Yamada was denied his debut by red tape after the champions discovered his international clearance had yet to be rubberstamped.
Rodgers, speaking to the Daily Record, explained: “We were told late on he wasn’t registered. He couldn’t play in the game. It was a UEFA game.
“I think we thought it would be through. So, he obviously he travelled with us. But then, later on, an hour before the game, we were told he wasn’t.
“We hope he’ll be okay for Saturday. Hopefully for the player. So, let’s see where that goes tomorrow.”
Yamada will be hoping for the green light to face Al Ahli in the third-place encounter while Ajax now face Nicolas Kuhn and Como in the showpiece showdown on Sunday.
HOOPS PUNISHED IN VANISHING ACT
