Yuki Kobayashi faces an immense task to hold the fort in the absence of inspirational Celtic figure Cameron Carter-Vickers.
But the Japanese kid could not have a better opportunity to put a left-foot forward and give Ange Postecoglou a potential balancing act for next term. Kobayashi looks set to fill the gaping void left by the American international in the final month of the campaign and perhaps even into the start of next term.
It’s a massive challenge for the 22-year-old and also a massive opening of a door. Carter-Vickers’ contribution over the past two seasons has been simply immense. Knowing he’s played the last part of it in knee pain just adds to the achievement. It remains a remarkable statistic that, since signing for Postecoglou, the centre-back has lost just one Scottish Premiership game over two campaigns. The fact that record reduces to zero when starting alongside partner Carl Starfelt is astounding and the Swede is an unsung part of that success.
Often unfairly criticised, Starfelt has also been outstanding and come up trumps in big games. Moritz Jenz and Stephen Welsh to the best of their ability, but it was notable that the first-pick pair didn’t start a single Champions League game together out of the six group matches due to injury.
Maybe it would have made no difference. Celtic may still have shipped plenty of goals against the game’s elite. No-one can ever say and perhaps that question will be answered next term when Postecoglou’s team go back in against the big boys of the continent.
Domestically, anyway, it says much for Starfelt that he has been able to do the job so impressively when playing on the wrong side. Naturally right footed, the Scandinavian operates on the left of the two with Carter-Vickers able to stay on his preferred side.
The presence of Kobayashi in the side for potentially the last five league games and the Scottish Cup Final will see Starfelt go across to his natural side. While Starfelt’s defending remains solid, there is no doubt passing out from the back is going to be quicker and slicker when it’s been done with a natural on his side.
Greg Taylor is the regular left-back working alongside Starfelt keeping guard on their side of the park and said: “Yuki is unbelievable. Especially being on the ball on that left side with the left foot, I think it’ll also help Carl.
“Carl defends unbelievably, but it’s not easy playing the left side when he is right footed. He does outstandingly well even playing out with that, but it gives us good balance with Yuki maybe coming in as a left footer, so there is definitely more to come from us as a team.”
It is an exciting prospect for the supporters. Although Kilmarnock were open and offered the opportunities last month, the Japanese moved it out quickly and helped get Celtic going as they smashed four goals in the opening 27 minutes in Ayrshire. It’s as free-flowing attacking-wise as they have been since the last international break in March and Postecoglou said the opening half at Rugby Park was the best they had played all year.
Kobayashi has a chance to showcase himself against the country’s best opponents. Trips to Tynecastle and Ibrox are as tough as it gets in Scotland. In his four appearances so far, the young Asian has shown himself to be quick, strong and aggressive. He’s looked the part.
Postecoglou is, of course, the polar opposite of a silly man. He’s shown his shrewdness in the transfer market to devastating effect and you’d need to be dumb to think it’s just luck that his January capture from Vissel Kobe just happens to have a smooth-looking left peg to go with his defensive attributes.
In some respects, with the chance to offer balance, he’s a perfect deputy and Kobayashi flourishing and blossoming can bring so many benefits. For a start, it can mean future injury issues to the two mainstays isn’t a nightmare and that Carter-Vickers can be allowed as long as necessary to get back.
Automatic entry to the Champions League group stage means the opening month of the season is less congested. At the beginning of this season, Starfelt was absent for the start of the Premiership after going through summer rehabilitation.
Welsh deputised on the opening day of the season against Aberdeen and scored the first goal of the run which will lead to the flag being won again. Jenz was in the team the following week against Ross County to score a vital goal in Dingwall.
With games and pre-season of preparation to add to what he’s already got from his spell at Celtic, Kobayashi can do the same and there are other aspects to consider.
It’s never happened to date and chances of it happening in the future also seem remote, but having a natural lefty could also offer Postecoglou the opportunity to play three at the back alongside Carter-Vickers and Starfelt if it ever crossed his mind. After all, managers will always tell you you can’t have enough options.
Notably, it could also show there’s not going to be a major immediate problem if someone comes knocking on the door in summer with a big offer for Carter-Vickers or Starfelt, although it’s hard to see a bid for the American until he regains fitness.
Kobayashi sure has a big job. But it’s a big chance for him with potentially big benefits for his team.
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