Celtic now miss out on Postecoglou target with 25-year-old Belgium-bound

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Celtic have missed out one of Ange Postecoglou’s transfer targets following the manager’s move to Tottenham Hotspur with Ryotaro Ito Belgium-bound.

With the straight-talking Aussie embarking upon a new challenge in the Premier League after two highly-successful seasons north of the border, there are a number the questions on the lips of Celtic supporters. 

Chief among them, of course, is who will replace the Ange Postecoglou; links with Jesse Marsch, Kjetil Knutsen and Enzo Maresca.  

There is also the question of what Postecoglou’s departure will mean for Celtic’s Far East connections. The Premiership champions have enjoyed serious success when raiding Japan’s J-League since appointing the former Yokohama F Marinos boss, with Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate, Kyogo Furuhashi, Yuki Kobayashi and Tomoko Iwata all part of Postecoglou’s treble-winning squad. 

According to the Daily Record, Celtic were planning to dip into a familiar watering hole again; Albirex Niigata playmaker Ryotaro Ito the latest Asian sensation on Postecoglou’s radar. 

Celtic miss out on Ryotaro Ito

The J-League outfit have now confirmed, however, that Ito will be on his way to Belgium instead. Albirex Niigate have ‘reached a basic agreement’ with Jupiler League outfit Sint-Truiden. 25-year-old Ito will soon undergo a medical, and arrives in Belgium hoping to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Kaoru Mitoma. 

“I tried to get him here,” Postecoglou told the Scottish Sun of Mitoma; the former Union Saint-Gilloise loanee becoming one of the Premier League’s breakout talents.  

“But it was already almost done for him to go to Brighton. Him and Kyogo were the first two players I tried to bring across. Mitoma would have been a good signing but, unfortunately for us, Brighton also have a very good scouting network.”

Do not be surprised if Ito, a stylish attacking midfielder who prides himself upon creating goalscoring opportunities with his Brazilian-inspired footwork, follows Mitoma in England should he live up to lofty expectations at Sint-Truiden.