YOSUKE IDEGUCHI is desperate to nail down a starting spot in the Celtic first-team.
The January signing hasn't featured as much as he'd have liked since joining as part of a triple J-League signing alongside Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda.
Injury after the Scottish Cup win over Alloa left Ideguchi sidelined but he has returned to the squad in recent weeks.
And now he's aiming to become a regular starter in a hotly contested midfield spot for Celtic.
He told the Celtic View: “I want to secure my position in the Celtic team, to play every game constantly and have a consistent run.
“Joining the club at the same time as Reo and Daizen helped me because I want to contribute alongside them as much as I can.
“Before we signed, Kyogo was big news in Japan with the way he was performing here and I hope I can do the same.”
Despite a stop-start beginning to life at Parkhead, manager Ange Postecoglou has backed Ideguchi to be an important player over the coming years.
He explained: “He’s probably been the unluckiest of the lot in that he got an injury early on just when he got himself to fitness, and it’s been a bit frustrating for him that I haven’t been able to give him more game time.
“But with all of these guys, I didn’t buy them for the first six months. They’re here for the next three or four years and I’ve no doubt he’ll become an important player for us over the course of time.
“He’s a team-focused guy and even when he’s not playing, you see him in training and he’s our hardest worker and that raises the levels for everyone.
“He knew what he was getting into so he’s adjusted really well and as a family they’ve made that decision and this is where they see their future and I think all those kinds of things help.”
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