IS TAISEI MIYASHIRO CELTIC’S “SECRET JAPANESE PROJECT”?
- BY LIAM CARRIGAN
- Aug 8
- 3 min read
The Daily Record provoked some intrigue yesterday with their claim that Celtic are currently working on another J-League deal, that would be our 3rd signing from Japan this summer.
Well, I’ve been asking around a few friends in Japan, and I might, emphasis on “might” (nothing is certain at this point), have an idea who Celtic are looking at.
One player who fits the Celtic profile, and is known to be actively looking for a move to Europe right now, is Taisei Miyashiro. But who is he? And where would he fit in at Celtic?
Taisei Miyashiro: Celtic Winger in the Making?
For Taisei Miyashiro, Celtic would unquestionably represent a good move. He is, at the moment, in a very similar position to our recent signing Shin Yamada.
He’s 25 years old, just made his debut for the Japanese national team this year, and is looking to try and force his way into manager Hajime Moriyasu’s plans ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
He currently plays for Vissel Kobe, one of the larger clubs in the J-League and winners of a league and cup double last season. It was Vissel’s second successive J-League title, something of a rarity in a league noted for its open, competitive nature.
Although Miyashiro wears the number 9 jersey, don’t read too much into that. He’s primarily a winger, rather than a striker. His goal tally this term of 6 goals in 13 games reflects that, while he has an eye for goal, he’s more of a creator than a finisher.
Miyashiro plays on the right side, but can also operate on the left. Like most Japanese players, his versatility is one of his major attributes. He can operate anywhere across the front three.
Miyashiro certainly ticks the boxes of what Celtic are looking for. If we are, indeed, looking at another move into the J-League, then he certainly is a player that I hope Celtic are, at the very least, considering.
For the avoidance of doubt, I will say this once again. There has, as far as I am aware, been no official approach from Celtic for Taisei Miyashiro. However, off the record, sources who know the J-League better than I do have told me there may be some mileage in this.
It is only speculation at this point. However, it is informed speculation, not the kind of made-up nonsense you’ll read in some of the tabloids.
It is possible Celtic may hold off on this signing until January. We have now passed the J-League summer break, which is, traditionally, when players wishing to move to Europe will do so, If Miyashiro is going to move to Celtic, then he will, of course, want it to happen as soon as possible.
Afterall, The Champions League or Europa League is his best chance of catching the attention of a national manager in Moriyasu who we know doesn’t rate Scottish football very highly.
However, Vissel are pushing for 3 in a row, and will not want to lose one of their best attackers at such a crucial point in the season.
That being said, if Celtic made the move this month, the fee would probably be similar to what we paid for Shin Yamada. You’re looking at somewhere in the region of 1.5-1.8 million pounds.
It’s the kind of money that even the Celtic Board wouldn’t have too much trouble parting with, hopefully.
