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.
