Chris Sutton has given a cautious view on Shin Yamada, saying he’s still not sure what the Japanese striker will bring to Brendan Rodgers’ team.

Yamada joined late in Celtic’s pre-season and has barely been seen in competitive action. He came off the bench against Al Ahli in the Como Cup and scored the winning penalty in the shootout to seal third place.

That moment showed a bit of his calmness under pressure, but Sutton feels it’s far too soon to know what he can really do. He pointed out that YouTube clips and actual performances on the pitch are two very different things.

Yamada was an unused substitute in the 1-0 win over St Mirren, with the game still goalless until the 87th minute. Johnny Kenny was brought on instead, which could be a worrying sign of how Rodgers currently views the new arrival.

The ex-Celtic striker also made it clear that more signings are needed before the transfer window shuts, saying Yamada on his own won’t solve the club’s issues up front.

He said: (Daily Record YouTube), “Nobody really knows what Shin is like. We’ve all seen the YouTube clips — he’s quicker than Maeda and he’s a wonderful finisher. And yes, he looked good on YouTube, but I’d look good on YouTube if you looked back at some of my past games.

“So, there’s that. Is Johnny Kenny the ideal option? I don’t think so — no disrespect to him.

“It’s clear, you know, it’s so clear Celtic need players in. And the sooner they get them in, it’s simple — give yourself the best possible chance.”

Sutton’s words will resonate with many who see Celtic’s attacking options as thin heading into a demanding season. With key fixtures on the horizon, Rodgers will want proven quality in the squad as soon as possible.

Yamada’s pace and finishing ability have been talked up, but the challenge for the 25-year-old will be adapting quickly to Scottish football’s physicality and tempo. Until then, Sutton’s assessment that “nobody really knows” what to expect seems fair.

The striker’s winning penalty against Al Ahli was an encouraging moment, but the bigger tests will come in competitive league and European action. Only then will Celtic supporters and pundits alike get a proper measure of his contribution.

The clock is ticking on the transfer window, and as Sutton highlighted, securing reinforcements early could be crucial in shaping Celtic’s season.