Inamura still 'not at the level' to be trusted by Rodgers

Summer signing Hayato Inamura is still "not quite at the level" required to make his competitive debut for Celtic, says manager Brendan Rodgers.

The 23-year-old Japanese defender joined from J-League side Albirex Niigata in June on a four-year deal, having moved up to the professional level from university football in 2024.

He is still waiting to make a competitive appearance for the club and will not feature in their Champions League play-off tie against Kazakh side Kairat Almaty.

"It's very easy. He's not quite at the level, as of yet, that I would expect," the Celtic manager explained.

"The plan for Ina was to come in and train and see where he was at, with the possibility of going out on loan, because he's only had a year's football.

"He came in as a centre-half/left-back, but his defensive qualities aren't at the level that would see me put him in against Lamine Yamal if I had to. It's as simple as that. So that's why he's not involved.

"He's played in some really good games, against Cork and Queen's Park, but the reality is that's the level that we play, you get 80 per cent of the ball.

"But we also need a player that can defend. And we're hoping that over the couple of years, with experience and with maybe a loan, that that can take place. But at this very, very moment, that's why he's not in the squad. It's as simple as that."