Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has acknowledged that there’s still much to do in the summer transfer window, despite recently signing Japanese striker Shin Yamada. Yamada was unveiled to fans ahead of Celtic’s impressive 4-0 win over Newcastle in a pre-season friendly. While pleased with the squad’s progress, Rodgers emphasized his desire to strengthen the team’s attacking power to meet the demands of a long season.
Rodgers highlighted the need for more goal-scoring options, noting the departures of key players like Kyogo Furuhashi, Nicolas Kühn, and Matt O’Riley, who each contributed significantly to the team’s offense. Even though Celtic had a strong scoring record last season, the manager is determined to build further depth in attacking areas. He emphasized that simply scoring well in friendlies is not enough preparation for the competitive season ahead.
Shin Yamada joins Celtic from Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale, where he netted 32 goals in 121 matches. The 25-year-old, who has also earned his first senior international cap, is known for his exceptional speed—reportedly faster than both Daizen Maeda and Kyogo, who also came from the Japanese league. Rodgers believes Yamada’s style fits perfectly with Celtic’s high-tempo, aggressive front-line tactics and will add valuable depth
Although Rodgers would prefer to have all new signings in place at the beginning of pre-season, he acknowledged that the realities of the transfer market often require patience. He explained that the club is still actively working behind the scenes and expects the final pieces to come together by the end of August. However, he hinted that in some areas, reinforcements could arrive sooner depending on how negotiations progress.
Celtic’s pre-season form has been promising, with the team showing strength and cohesion. After defeating Sporting Lisbon earlier in the week, the convincing win over Newcastle was another positive step. Rodgers praised his players for adapting well to tactical instructions and displaying both authority and creativity on the pitch. He remains focused on ensuring the squad is fully prepared for the upcoming Champions League qualifiers and
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