Celtic star Yuki Kobayashi has admitted he's desperate to experience Parkhead on a Champions League night so he can emulate former Hoops hero Shunsuke Nakamura.
And he's revealed he now feels fully adapted to Scottish football after his winter move.
Kobayashi signed a five-year deal with Celtic from Vissel Kobe and the 22-year-old made five league starts under former boss Ange Postecoglou.
But he admits it's the Champions League that he can't wait for with Celtic after spending a season loan with Nakamura who was still playing for Yokohama FC at the age of 42 three years ago.
Kobayashi said: "I've been at Celtic for around six months now and I have got used to it.
"Before I came to Celtic I had heard all the stories about Shunsuke Nakamura and the Champions League and I got the chance to ask him about it when I was on loan at Yokohama and he was still playing.
"So I can't wait to play in the Champions League for Celtic.
"I've heard the supporters are extremely passionate for these games and I can't wait to experience it.
"It has taken me some time to adapt here. For example, when I first signed it was winter and even little things like the grass was very different from Japan.
"The soil was loose and I kept slipping. So it took me time to get up to speed.
"I feel the Celtic players are loved by the fans here.
"The number of times I get people talking to me while I'm walking down the street is much more than in Japan.
"So it didn't take me long to understand that football here is very different from Japan."
Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers has described Kyogo Furuhashi’s new four-year deal at Celtic as “brilliant news” for the treble winners.
The Japan striker, 28, has scored 54 goals in 83 games since signing from Vissel Kobe in 2021 and is now tied to the Parkhead club until 2027.
Rodgers, beginning his second stint as Hoops boss, told the club’s official website: “It is brilliant news for the club. Kyogo is an important player for us so I am delighted he has signed a new contract.
“Kyogo has thrived since he arrived in Scottish football and has shown his outstanding qualities.
“In two seasons, he has secured five domestic honours, scored over 50 club goals and become a treble winner. This takes a lot of hard work, dedication and sacrifice both on and off the pitch.
“He is an exciting player who is hungry to bring more success to our club. He has a great mentality and is an unbelievable talent.
“I am looking forward to working with him and helping him and the wider team develop to help drive the club forward.”
