Celtic ace Yosuke Ideguchi insists he’s determined to make his mark after ‘frustrating’ first few months
YOSUKE IDEGUCHI insists he’s determined to make his mark at Celtic after a frustrating first few months at the club.
The Japanese ace arrived at Parkhead in January alongside Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda, joining up with countryman Kyogo Furuhashi who signed last summer.
And while the other three players played their part as the Hoops won the title back from Rangers, the man known as Guchi played just six times due to injury and the form of others.
This is the 25 year-old’s second stint in European football after a spell at Leeds United – and then their Spanish affiliate Cultural Leonesa - that failed to fire.
And with Celtic getting ready to return for pre-season training, Ideguchi is desperate to make more of an impact in the campaign ahead.
He told Japanese publication Number Web: “This is my second attempt in Europe.
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“And I am absolutely determined to do well. Here at Celtic it is easy to blend in at the club.
“Above all, there is a lot of respect for Japanese players because Kyogo achieved results before me.
“Reo is also in the same position. Having a Japanese player in the team makes it easier, but it is also a limited position.
"I think it’s great that Reo got results first, but of course it’s frustrating not to play.
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“So in order to secure a permanent position here, I have to show my play and features more fully.
“Celtic’s football is very aggressive, so if I were to show my strengths, it would be in switching between offense and defence.
“I hope I can make the switch from defence to attack and from attack to defence.
"There are many offensive players in midfield, so I hope to bring out my strengths which are different from those.
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“I want to do it day by day without thinking too much about the future.
“I had always wanted to go abroad again. When Celtic contacted me last autumn I made an immediate decision.
“The last time I was abroad for a year and a half, I only felt frustrated. I was determined to see how much I could do. I have a strong desire to make up for it.
“It's possible to step up even at the club level.
“It's my ultimate goal to play for the national team but now I want to be involved in as many games as possible so that I can contribute to the title next season as well.
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"I think the results of goals and assists are important, but it's also difficult for me. It's not easy because I'm not a very aggressive player. It's just a required part, so I want to aim for it.”
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