Gutted Yosuke Ideguchi admits he struggled to come to terms that he was "f*****" at Celtic after crashing out of Ange Postecoglou's first-team plans.
The 26-year-old returned to his homeland to sign a year-long loan with Avispa Fukuoka having failed to make a single appearance for Ange Postecoglou's side this term after an injury-hampered spell since making the move to Scotland. Ideguchi first arrived at Celtic Park in January 2022 alongside Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda but failed to make a similar impact as his compatriots after picking up an injury on his first start for the club in the Scottish Cup with Alloa.
After being a feature of pre-season at Celtic ahead of the current campaign, Ideguchi would pick up another knock in training before the Scottish Premiership kicked off and failed to work his way back into the squad. The midfielder is currently sidelined for up to three months after picking up an ankle injury on his first start for Kashiwa Reysol.
After a shot at European football with Leeds United failed previously, Ideguchi admitted in a brutally honest interview with Japanese outlet Sportiva he admitted he felt his career could have been over if he remained with the Scottish champions. Asked why he returned to Japan, Ideguchi said: "To tell you the truth, I was scared. At this rate, my soccer career will end. I was out for a little longer due to my first injury, but I was exposed to Ange Postecoglou’s view of football, and I was really attracted to fast-paced soccer. I got a lot of inspiration from the boss' guidance, so I faced soccer with a very positive attitude.
"As a result (of injuries), I couldn't get involved in many matches, but I didn't waver in my determination to show myself well and compete here. To be honest, when I saw how Celtic played in the Scottish league, I thought it might be difficult for a player with a style of play like mine to survive, but on the contrary, I think there are areas where I could grow by trying to live there.
"Ever since I decided to move abroad for the second time based on my first overseas transfer, I thought, 'It's not going to be that easy.' Considering the position, I also felt that I needed to learn how to adapt myself.
“I saw that my wife was even more frustrated (at Celtic) than I was, but I turned away from the reality that I was f***** again and clung to hope overseas. But you're looking for a place to play yourself and I started thinking about going back to Japan and starting over”
Ideguchi is contract at Celtic Park until 2026 and remains optimistic that he can earn a second chance at the club when he returns from his loan in Japan. He insists the move to Japan has given him a new lease of life - while admitting he would have to "start from the bottom" when he arrives back in Glasgow's east end.
Asked about his thoughts of a return to the Scottish Premiership, Ideguchi responded: "I mean, I'm pretty sure, considering that I still have a few years left on my contract with Celtic, I feel like I was sticking with it.
"I was able to take a positive step (in my career) by just thinking about standing on the pitch and playing. Even if I say it's a new step, it's from the bottom."
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