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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Smith

Brendan Rodgers names Celtic starting XI for Yokohama clash

Brendan Rodgers has named his Celtic team to take on Yokohama F.Marinos in a pre-season friendly clash.

Both Daizen Maeda and Tomoki Iwata start against their former Japanese club.

Fellow Japanese stars Reo Hatate and Yuki Kobayashi are also in from the start, but star striker Kyogo Furuhashi is on the bench.

Celtic: Hart, Taylor, Starfelt, Haksabanovic, Abada, Kobayashi, Tomoki, O'Riley, Maeda, Hatate, McGregor.

Subs: Bain, Siegrist, Scales, Kyogo, Turnbull, Oh, Bernabei, Lawal, Vata, Kelly, Forrest, Summers, Welsh, McPherson.

Looking ahead to the game, Brendan Rodgers said: “Firstly I would like to say a big thank you and I’m very privileged to be here in Japan.

"To be here playing when we have our Japanese players and to take Celtic to Yokohama is very special for them and for us.

“Our priority at this stage of pre-season is our fitness. We are playing a fantastic team that is coached so well and it’s a perfect game for us at this stage of our preparation.

“When I see Kevin Muscat's team play, it doesn’t surprise me how well he has done. Winning the championship here in 2022 was a fantastic achievement, but not just winning, winning with the style of football he plays.

“We’re delighted to be here and we’re really looking forward to the game.”

Daizen Maeda added: “In terms of attacking I’m much stronger, and in defence I’m tougher. In that sense I have grown in all aspects and I like to show everything to the fans and the crowd.

"I am always making improvements in my mind to make myself better than last season. When I’m on the pitch I do my best.

“The strength of Japanese players is their humility and being able to play for the team.

"However, it’s not only about Japanese players. Each player at Celtic can do the same and that’s why we are a successful team, so please look for that.”

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