Ange Postecoglou insists defender Yuki Kobayashi will be a 'strong contributor' going forward at Celtic.
The Japanese defender, who was recruited in the January transfer window alongside Alistair Johnston and fellow countryman Tomoki Iwata has been settling in to life at Celtic. The 22-year-old was hailed majorly by Postecoglou upon his arrival after he ended a long spell at boyhood club Vissel Kobe to join the Aussie's plight for trophy success in Glasgow.
Yet the defender has found game time on and off so far with the dynamic duo of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt holding down the fort at the back. During Saturday's emphatic 3-0 win over Hearts in the Scottish Cup, however, the Swede was forced off at half time with an injury, handing Kobayashi a chance to impress.
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And impress his boss he did, with Postecoglou also claiming unseen work on the training ground with coach John Kennedy has been vital to the youngster's development. The Hoops boss also insists fans will see more of the centre-half as the run in to the end of the season heats up.
He said: "I thought he did well. He's a very, very good footballer. You can see that, he's so calm on the ball.
"Having a left-sided centre back is such an asset. But he's only 22 so as a defender he still has a lot to learn.
"He works hard every day. We're fortunate we've got John Kennedy in the building who was an outstanding centre back and he does a lot of work with John every day to be ready for his opportunity.
"He hasn't had a lot but he's definitely one we think can be a strong contributor between now and the end of the year and beyond."
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