NEVIN: ANGE’S JAPAN FORCE ARE REO DEAL
Pat Pa Nevin knows the perils of footballers switching countries, co never mind changing ch continents.
So he has praised Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou for reaping the rewards of his Japanese Bhoys.
The former Chelsea winger was part of the work permit panel that gave the green light to Koki Mizuno coming to Scotland in 2008.
It was a time when Celtic were dipping a toe in the Japanese market after stellar success with star man Shunsuke Nakamura
After watching Reo Hatate destroy Rangers with a double in the 3- 0 derby win, Nevin believes that ‘Angeball’ is here to stay – and the key elements are Japanese.
Daizen Maeda came off the bench against Rangers whi le crocked Kyogo Furuhashi and Yosuku Ideguchi lapped up the Old Firm derby win with the rest of the Celtic Park crowd in the stands.
Next up for the new Premiership leaders is a trip to Fir Park, where Nevin was player and chief executive.
It was against Motherwel l that Mizuno made his debut in 2008 after signing from JEF United. But he only played 12 times. Injuries and the departure of
Nakamura from Celtic in 2009 played pivotal roles and the lonely Mizuno headed back to Japan in 2010.
Nakamura spent three years in Serie A with Reggina and Gordon Strachan paid £2.5million for the midfielder.
Nevin said: “I spent time in Japan for the 2002 World Cup. There’s a cultural shift wherever you travel.
“Obviously, Nakamura was here on his own but the experience of being in Italy would have helped a bit with the differences between Japan and Europe.
“Sadly, Mizuno didn’t play many games which is not always the player’s fault, if you have an injury. And sometimes you need to have the right manager.
“But the fact there are now four Japanese players in the Celtic dressing room is a huge help for them all. The way it started for Kyogo and now HataHatate has really helped tto make the impa c t A nge wante wanted
“It wasw a huge risk fofor them but after tthe win over Rang Rangers , they must a l l have looked looke around Celtic Celti Park and thought, thou ‘ What a greatgre decision I mamade coming here.’ here
“I could not st stop looking
at Hatate’s smile. sm His goals goa l it up NAKAMURA
Celtic Park and so did his smi le. Not many players in world football could go and do what he did.
“I have watched lots of Japanese players over the years, going to Europe.
“No club ever complains about their work ethic and attitude. They give you all the things you want.
“I covered Kyogo’s first game against Dundee and after half an hour he got a hat-trick. He and Nakamura are different players but Kyogo is more like Henrik Larsson. Once the board saw Kyogo’s impact, they knew they could trust Ange to get it right.
“Ha t a t e works so hard and runs so much. He gives 90 minutes of ‘Angeball’ which is not easy for players.
“They show incredible energy, with the inevitable dip later – but they are usually ahead by then.
“When they get the injured players back, like David Turnbull and Kyogo, that is scary for anyone else.
“Angeball is quality stuff, high tempo, and I love it. The fans love it too.
“It has been a few years since I was involved with Celtic youths (1975-79) but that style of football is ‘the Celtic Way’, score an early goal and press on for more.
“That’s why I smile when I see this side. It doesn’t matter what team you support, if they play like that, I want to watch them.”
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