New Celtic signing Yuki Kobayashi applauds fans before the match
Celtic centre-back Yuki Kobayashi has been hailed by Frank McAvennie, based on what the former Hoops striker has seen from him since he arrived at the club.
The Lowdown: Kobayashi replaces Jenz
The Hoops confirmed the signing of Kobayashi back in November, with the centre-back joining on a five-year deal from Vissel Kobe, but he has only been allowed to play competitive matches for Celtic since the beginning of January.
Coinciding with the defender’s arrival, Moritz Jenz returned to parent club FC Lorient, before joining Schalke 04 on loan, and McAvennie appears to believe Ange Postecoglou has made the right decision in reshuffling his squad.
The Latest: McAvennie reacts
Speaking to Football Insider about how the 22-year-old has started at the club, McAvennie said: “I think that Kobayashi has been outstanding,”
“He just looks so comfortable on the ball.
“He is a left-sided player which means that Starfelt can go over to his favoured right side because he was not very good. He was not very comfortable taking the ball on his left foot.
“He looks very assured and he does not mind getting the rough and tumble of it.
“With Carter-Vickers and [Stephen] Welsh that is four centre-halves. I liked Jenz but obviously the manager saw something different from me. I would rather go with his word than mine.“
The Verdict: Promising signs
The former Vissel Kobe man has only played one game for the Hoops since his arrival, but he looked very solid, helping his side to a clean sheet in the 4-0 win against St Mirren, with his passing ability on show throughout the match.
Out of 100 attempted passes, the Japanese defender completed 94, and what is even more impressive is that those passes weren’t just safe, sideways options. He completed seven out of eight long balls, the highest amount of any Celtic player on the pitch.
It will be hard for Kobayashi to break into Postecoglou’s side, given that they have the best defensive record in the Scottish Premiership this season, but the manager should try to give him increased game time in the next few weeks, as he has shown that he is capable of holding a place down in the starting XI.
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