“There really was a difference in football ability,” Hayato Inamura

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·7 January 2026

“There really was a difference in football ability,” Hayato Inamura

Hayato Inamura has been speaking about his time in Scotland after returning to Japan to join FC Tokyo on loan just six months after signing for Celtic. The left-back joined Celtic from J-League side Albirex Niigata, signing a four year deal and was one of the summer arrivals that Brendan Rodgers labelled as ‘club signings’.

Hayato Inamura of Celtic FC in action during Como Cup match played between Al-Ahli and Celtic FCat Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

OneFootball Videos

He made one competitive appearance in the win at Celtic Park at the start of the season and played very well. However Brendan Rodgers had concerns about the level the player was at, especially defensively, after working with him during the pre-season and the early weeks of the season.

Speaking to The Celtic Star, Brendan Rodgers was asked by Conor Spence about his decision to omit Inamura from his Champions League squad ahead of the ill-fated qualifier against Kairat Almaty. The then Celtic manager replied:

Shin Yamada & Hayato Inamura of Celtic step off the team bus at Celtic Park. Celtic v Livingston, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 23 August 2025. Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

“He’s not quite at the level as of yet that I would expect. The plan for Inamura was to come in and train and see where he was at with the possibility of going out on loan because he’s only had a year’s football.

“He came in as a centre half stroke left back, but his defensive qualities aren’t at the level that would see me put him in. So it’s as simple as that. So that’s why he’s not involved.

“He’s played in some really good games against Cork and Queen’s Park, but the reality is that’s the level that you play, you get 80% of the ball and you’ve got the ball. But we also need a player that can defend. And we’re hoping that over the couple of years with experience and with maybe a loan, that can that that can take place.

“But at this very, very moment, that’s why he’s not in the squad. It’s as simple as that,” Brendan Rodgers told The Celtic Star.

Brendan Rodgers during the Premier League match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park on August 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

So in many ways the return to Japan for a loan spell is hardly unexpected, indeed such a move was always in the plan and perhaps advice that the player has been given from Daizen Maeda has influenced the choice of club for the loan especially as the player has now spoken about things being tough for him in Scotland.

Hayato Inamura has been talking about leaving Celtic to join FC Tokyo on loan until the end of the season.

Hayato Inamura of Celtic Cork City v Celtic, Pre Season Friendly, SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork, Ireland – 08 Jul 2025Cork SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh Ireland. Photo Lorraine O’Sullivan Shutterstock

“It was difficult in many ways. It was a tough time for me. There are things I can say and things I can’t say. But there really was a difference in football ability,” Inamura said as reported by Scottish Sun.

“I was confident I could reach that level if I could play in the games, but I wasn’t given the chance. And I had mental ups and downs.

Hayato Inamura of Celtic controls the ball during the pre-season friendly match between Celtic and Newcastle United at Celtic Park on July 19, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“Daizen Maeda told me I could definitely launch my career again if I returned home to Japan and that encouraged me. After thinking about what I needed for my career, I decided to move to FC Tokyo. I want to test myself and work hard to reach a higher level.

“My first priority will be to break into the team because there are good players here.”

Hayato Inamura of Celtic reacts Cork City v Celtic, Pre Season Friendly, Football, SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork, Ireland – 08 July 2025 Cork SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh Ireland Photo Lorraine O Sullivan Shutterstock

Whether we’ll see much of Hayato Inamura in a Celtic jersey over the next three seasons remains to be seen. Getting more game-time in Japan is going to help a perhaps another loan spell in Scotland or maybe south of the border may help his development.

What is clear is that the player, by his own admission and by the assessment of Brendan Rodgers, is currently well short of the level required at Celtic, although standards have been slipping recently.

All Books Now Half Price in the Celtic Star Books January Sale…

Celtic in the Thirties by Celtic Historian Matt Corr is published in two volumes by Celtic Star Books. ORDER NOW!

Both volumes of Celtic in the Thirties are now available on Amazon Kindle, with the links to order below. Signed copies of both volumes are available on hardback from Celtic Star Books and if you would like author Matt Corr to add a special dedication to your copies please let us know. Order hardback copies HERE or for Amazon Kindle click on the links below…

Click to order Volume One

Click to order Volume Two