Manager Brendan Rodgers is still keen to add more attacking firepower to his Celtic squad after the signing of Japan striker Shin Yamada.
Speaking following his side’s impressive four-goal pre-season win over Newcastle, the Parkhead boss said: “I think it’s bringing goals to the squad. Especially when you score four goals, it seems like you’re okay.
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“But we lost an important player in Kyogo [Furuhashi] in January. He brought us a lot of goals. We lost Nicolas Kuhn. He brought us a lot of goals. Matt O’Riley even last summer.
“So even though we scored a lot of goals last season, we still want more. And our ambition is to have more. So I think all across the front areas, we have to be active in order to give us that depth we need.”
Yamada has arrived from Kawasaki Frontale, where he scored 32 goals in 121 appearances, on a four-year contract.
The 25-year-old recently won his first international cap and joins compatriots Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Inamura at Celtic Park.
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On his arrival, Rodgers said: “His profile suits how we play. He’s one of the quickest players from the Japanese league. He’s deemed quicker than Daizen [Maeda] and Kyogo in terms of statistics.
“And that’s how we play. We have speed on the top line. He’ll give us that depth as well.”
Celtic have Champions League play-offs to navigate in the second half of August, but Rodgers is prepared to be patient for further signings.
“Any coach would love to have them in on the first day of pre-season,” he said.
“But as long as they’re here by the end of August, and obviously in some areas we would like them sooner, we’ll be able to see the squad we have and take it from there.”
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Celtic swept Newcastle aside thanks to an Arne Engels penalty, Johnny Kenny’s easy finish after a mistake from goalkeeper Nick Pope, a goal from Yang Hyun-jun on the counter-attack, and Liam Scales’ header.
Rodgers, whose side beat Sporting Lisbon 2-0 in midweek, added: “It was an excellent exercise. We had a really tough 10 days over in Portugal and played a really good game on Wednesday night.
“So, just a continuation. The guys are looking strong, getting better. And, obviously, our tactical idea against a top team, you’re looking to play with that authority and creativity. And it was really good.”
[BBC]
