Ange Postecoglou could be set to take Celtic to Japan this summer to take part in one or two pre season friendlies.
Nikkan Sports report that both Celtic and Premier League giants Man City are planning visits to Japan to each play a friendly against Yokohama F. Marinos, Postecoglou’s former club. It is not yet clear whether or not the Hoops will face the current English champions in the land of the rising sun however it would assuredly make for an enticing spectacle.
According to the report, J. League officials are planning on holding the games at the end of July, when the J. League is on a mid-season break.
The last time this happened was in 2019 as Pep Guardiola’s men faced off against fellow City Group side Marinos. Ange was in charge of Yokohama at the time although the visitors ran out 3-1 winners in front of a 60,000 capacity crowd.
The game itself, though, was much closer than many expected, Guardiola praising the quality of Postecoglou’s team post-match.
In the last campaign in Japan, Kevin Muscat carried on Ange’s legacy in Yokohama, leading the Marinos to the J. League title for 2022.
Due to this, a match against the Marinos will provide a virtuous test for Celtic so early on in the season. Even better, one against City would prove to be a greater challenge.
These would only be positive things for Postecoglou because we seen at the beginning of 2022/23 how he likes to keep pre-season as challenging and realistic as possible.
