Celtic ‘eyeing’ a SIXTH Japanese star as Ange Postecoglou prepares to delve back into J-League market
ANGE POSTECOGLOU has made no secret of the fact he is planning MORE raids on the Asian transfer market.
The Celtic boss already has five Japanese players and South Korea striker Oh Hyeon-gyu in his squad.
And now it's being reported that Ryotaro Ito is high on the Hoops wanted list as they look to strengthen their squad for next season.
The 25-year-old midfielder weighed in with nine goals as Albirex Niigata returned to the J-League this season and the Daily Record claims that he has also caught the eye of Celtic's scouts.
Postecoglou knows that more and more eyes are being cast on the Japanese market.
He said: “The market there will become more and more competitive, no doubt.
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"So having some trust there from people is enormously helpful for us.
“I think the ones we’ve had at the club definitely help. Not just because we’re signing players and giving them an opportunity, but the players’ experiences help too.
“The best feedback you can get is from a person who’s involved.
“All the players who’ve come here have appreciated how welcoming everyone’s been, how the club’s looked after them, how they’ve enjoyed their time in the city and how the fans have embraced them.
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“That’s better ammunition for us in terms of selling who we are, than us just trying to tell people what we can provide.
“It’s coming straight from the people involved and I think that’s been tremendously helpful for us.
“The core of the squad won’t change for next season.
“We’re looking at areas where we can strengthen and I think there are a couple, at least.
“But going into a summer window you never know where else you might be affected, so what we’re going to do is make sure we’re ready whatever the outcome is.
“Our goal is to come out of the next window stronger than we go into it.”
The Hoops have also arranged a summer tour of Japan and South Korea, with matches lined up against Yokohama F. Marinos and Wolverhampton Wanderers, with a second Japanese clash against Gamba Osaka also likely to be confirmed.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page