Yosuke Ideguchi offered Celtic career lifeline as forgotten recruit has first team pathway mapped out

The Japanese midfielder arrived at Parkhead in January alongside fellow countrymen Maeda and Hatate.

Celtic's Yosuke Ideguchi will be a 'strong contributor' when the opportunity comes, according to boss Ange Postecoglou.

The Japanese midfielder joined the club back in January alongside fellow countrymen Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate.

And with the success of Kyogo Furuhashi, there were high expectations surrounding the trio who all arrived in Glasgow from the J-League.

Compared to his Japanese counterparts, he hasn't had much of a look in.

The 25-year-old has appeared just five times for Ange Postecoglou's side this season with just the one start in the Scottish Cup against Alloa Athletic.

The cup tie appearance was cut short for the midfielder after he was on the end of a nasty challenge which resulted in a short time out in February.

Postecoglou admitted earlier today that Ideguchi has been unfortunate in the number of minutes he has placed since arriving in Glasgow's east end.

The Hoops boss urged that the Japan cap will take his chance when his chance comes along.

Speaking earlier today, he said: “Ideguchi obviously hasn’t had much of an opportunity, which has been a bit difficult for him and for me because I really think he will be a strong contributor for us when he gets an opportunity.

“But, it’s just the way the games have gone.”

It may be unlikely that Ideguchi's chance will come in the next few games, given the momentum of Ange Postecoglou's side this season.

However, as Celtic look to secure the cinch Premiership title in the next few weeks, the Japanese international could get a run out in the closing clashes.