Chris Sutton is right to have sympathy for Celtic’s summer recruit Shin Yamada…
Shin Yamada – theRangers v Celtic, 31 August 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
The Japanese frontman came off the bench and made a positive impact at Ibrox in last Sunday’s Glasgow Derby. Yet to score for his new club there has been slight glimpses that he can be an effective squad player.
However, last week when Celtic announced their 24-man squad for the upcoming eight Europa League matches, Yamada was left out, as were fellow summer signings Callum Osmand, Hayato Inamura, and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey.
Now, in his weekly column in the Daily Record, Sutton explained he feels a tad sorry for Yamada.
Shin Yamada of Celtic. Celtic v Livingston, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 23 August 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO Shutterstock
Sutton outlined: “Why are four of the summer signings not in the Europa League squad? That says it all. Shin Yamada comes off the bench at Ibrox while Johnny Kenny isn’t in the squad but the roles are reversed days later. I feel sorry for Yamada. I don’t think he’s a world beater, but he’s shown signs he could be useful.”
Sutton added: “Now he’s been caught in the crossfire. Someone will have to explain the Jahmai Simpson-Pusey signing to me because that situation is another head scratcher. He’s at Celtic to get big match experience – not to sit at home when the team is playing in Europe. This is not connected – it’s disjointed.”
Shin Yamada of Celtic. Celtic v Livingston, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 23 August 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO Shutterstock
Like Sutton says, it seems as if Yamada is collateral damage and been hit in the crossfire for an abysmal summer transfer window. Celtic supporters are wondering why on earth were any of these guys signed in the first place?
We know Brendan’s thoughts on Inamura. Simpson-Pusey is below Dane Murray in the pecking order and was a pointless loan signing. I would be surprised if Man City didn’t recall him.
The one that showed some glimpses is Yamada and it is surprising he didn’t make the cut. Especially given the lack of options at the top end of the pitch.
The Celtic Board. Celtic Champions 2025. Dundee United v Celtic, 26 April 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star).
Maybe all these summer signing are caught up in the internal strife that is clearly escalating behind the scenes at the club and exploded over the past few days with a Celtic insider briefing against the manager in the Scottish Sun of all places before the Celtic Board released their statement at around 9pm on Saturday evening, which you can read about here.
Conor Spence
Celtic Football Club Statement.
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 6, 2025
Irrespective of the condescending and insulting content of this statement, 350+ Celtic fan entities representing tens of thousands of Celtic fans around the world have signed an open letter with 7 explicit questions – these questions, and those asking them, have been ignored. https://t.co/WXnpgU5js4
— North Curve Celtic (@NCCeltic) September 6, 2025
Another 24 hours, another 70+ signatories join the Open Letter.
If you would like to endorse the letter, email northcurveceltic@gmail.com https://t.co/89oh0FTatB
— North Curve Celtic (@NCCeltic) September 6, 2025
Celtic in the Eighties by the late, great David Potter is out now on Celtic Star Books. Celtic in the Eighties is now available in the Celtic superstore and all other club shops. And don’t forget that you can still purchase your copy directly from Celticstarbooks.com for same day postage.
Order Celtic in the Eighties today, you’ll be glad you did, it’s a fabulous read!
OUT NOW! Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Foreword by Danny McGrain. Published on Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order.
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