Glasgow Celtic manager Brendan Rogers said that one new hoop player is “not at the level” for him to play in the Champions League.
Celtic faces Kerato Almati in Champions League Qualifiers
Hoop has a solid start to the Scottish premiership season, winning both opening games and looking to compete in the Champions League group stage.
This summer, Rogers, who has made seven new signatures so far, is preparing to face Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty in a two-legged tie.
Previous Celtic Summer Signature | from | commission |
|---|---|---|
Benjamin Nigren | fc nordsjaelland | 2m |
Shin Yamada | Front of Kawasaki | 1.5m |
Hayato Inamura | Albirex niigata | £250,000 |
Kieran Tierney | Arsenal | free |
Ross Doohan | Aberdeen | free |
Callum Osmand | Flam | private |
Jahmai Simpson-Pusey | Man City | loan |
Celtic and Rodgers have already named their Champions League teams, but there is no room for new names.
New Celtic Signs Not Ready for the Champions League
Rogers gave a brief explanation as to why Summer, signing Summer Inamura, was removed from the Champions League team.
The 23-year-old Japanese defender took part in a four-year contract with J-League side Albirex niigata in June, and rose from college football in 2024, but has yet to make his competitive debut.
Inamura won’t do so in the Champions League playoffs against Kairato Almati after being removed from Rodgers’ team.
“It’s very easy. He’s not on a level yet, but I still don’t have anything to expect,” explained the Celtic manager. “INA’s plan was to lend him where he was and train and see where he was because he had only had a year.
“He came in as a center half/left back, but his defensive qualities aren’t on the level where I see him take him against Raminyamal if he has to. That’s just as easy, so he’s not involved.
“He played some really good games against Cork and Queens Park, but the reality is that is the level we play and you get 80% of the ball.
“But we need a player who can defend, and we have hoped that for years, with experience and loans, that happens. But at this very, very moment, that’s why he’s not on the team. That’s just as easy.”
