Yuki Kobayashi believes a torrid game against Manchester City star Phil Foden sparked him to reach the levels required to sign for a club like Celtic.
The Japanese defender will get his introduction to Scottish football next month as he joins up with the rest of Ange Postecoglou's squad in their quest to retain the Scottish Premiership title. Kobayashi became the Hoops' first signing of the January transfer window, penning a five-year deal from J-League side Vissel Kobe, the same club Postecoglou recruited fan favourite Kyogo Furuhashi from.
The 22-year-old admitted it was a dream move to leave his boyhood club in Japan for Parkhead, but recalled a torrid encounter in his youth career up against now England star Foden that made him realise he had to drive up standards. Kobayashi featured for Japan in the Under 17s World Cup against the Man City winger and revealed it was a sliding doors moment that fuelled his desire to play at the top level in Europe.
He said: "I thought I was progressing well until I was picked for Japan in the Under 17s World Cup and we played against England. I was up against Phil Foden and I couldn't get anywhere near him. I didn't win one tackle all game.
"The top level of world football even at that age was far higher than I imagined. That game, which we lost in a penalty shootout, made a strong impression on me. I realised how hard I would have to work and how much I would have to improve to play at that kind of level.
"I believe I have improved a lot since then and I have been handed this huge opportunity to play in Europe. I want to be a player who continues to raise my standards."
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