He's been coyly critical of the Scottish game's standard - now Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu could be set to see it first hand.
Despite picking Celtic forward Daizen Maeda - who eventually pulled out injured - for his March internationals, the 54-year-old said Scotland's Premiership quality was taken into consideration as Hoops pair Kyogo and Reo Hatate were not picked for duty. Now the boss is taking a month-long look at Land of the Rising Sun stars overseas, according to Sponichi.
His tour will begin in mid-April and alongside coaches Hiroshi Nanami and Ryoichi Maeda, they will look at their options in action, which could also include Tomoki Iwata and Yuki Kobayashi. Moriyasu will go to 'various places' and Scotland could well be one destination on his journey. But what games fall into the timeline that would allow Kyogo and Hatate to show they can shine for Japan just like they have for Ange Postecoglou's Celtic? Record Sport takes a look.
Kilmarnock vs Celtic (16/04/23)
We think the long trip to Dingwall this Sunday against Ross County and April's first derby with Rangers fall just outside the reported timeline for Moriyasu's trip. If he starts his plans in Scotland, the match that would marry up to that is Celtic going to Kilmarnock.
That would certainly be an eye-opener for the Japan boss. Derek McInnes' side would likely be defensive in their approach and the artificial surface is not what he will be used to watching football on, but it perhaps offers a chance to show how his stars try and break down a rigid line with technical quality and movement.
Rangers vs Celtic (30/04/23)
Time jumps slightly between the first potential date and second due to another game happening south of the border. Celtic vs Motherwell would be a possible option on the 22nd but with Brighton in a FA Cup semi-final with Manchester United that day at Wembley, that's as close to a safe bet as you can get for Moriyasu attending as Kaoru Mitoma will likely be involved.
So that leaves the next weekend as the following Celtic chance and there isn't a better game for the Japan boss to reassess his thoughts on the top flight's strength. Rangers and Celtic will go hammer and tongs in a defining match for both sides and the latter's Japanese men have a chance to show themselves in the best light.
Celtic vs N/A (06 or 07/05/23)
After that cup frenzy it will probably leave one more chance to get a look at the Glasgow crop, the first game of the split. A lot of that is still to be determined though as even with Celtic's place in the top six split secure, much has still to be decided over who joins them.
An interesting quirk at the moment is that of the current top half - Rangers, Hearts, Aberdeen, Hibs and Livingston - it's only the Jambos they will have played away to twice in the league come May. So on that basis it would seem like there will be more away games than home ties but it's all ifs and buts at this stage, regardless, it will still likely be a last look for Moriyasu wherever it's played.
