Hayato Inamura’s summer arrival at Celtic was initially painted as one for the future, a low-cost move with a view to a development loan.
But the Japanese player’s solid pre-season displays have raised fresh questions about his immediate role in Brendan Rodgers’ plans.
The 23-year-old left-back looked destined to head out on loan for game time and experience, but Rodgers has hinted that view may now be shifting. With the manager clearly still undecided on his full-back options, Inamura may yet be kept around for the start of the campaign.
Speaking about the situation, Rodgers admitted the original plan was for a loan but hasn’t ruled out keeping the defender in the building.
“I’m assessing it every day and taking a real close look at certain aspects of his game,” Rodgers said to CeltsAreHere. “He’s done well, and we have to make sure that by the end of the month, we’ve got it absolutely right for us going forward into certainly, into the next period.
“In fairness to the boy, as I said, his plan was that he’d just… he’d come in and then probably go out on loan. I mentioned that right at the very beginning. That was the plan for him.
“But he’s come in and coped well. But we’ll see over the coming weeks where we’re at.”
Celtic have been linked with Monaco’s 20-year-old full-back Kassoum Ouattara, but with Kieran Tierney already added and Inamura now impressing, a more patient approach could follow.
For now, Inamura remains in the mix and with left-back still an area under review, he may just have played himself into contention.
If Rodgers does decide he wants a different left-back, maybe someone with more experience, he has a month to get one through the door. It’s not exactly a pressing priority for Celtic right now.
