Shin Yamada has been quietly dropped from Celtic’s squad list just minutes before the Hoops face Ajax in Italy.
The Japanese forward had originally been named among the substitutes when the club released its team for the match on social media. But not long after, an updated version of the squad was posted, this time without Yamada’s name included.
No reason has been given for the change, and Celtic have yet to provide any information. The move has left supporters guessing, especially with the striker only recently joining the squad this month.
Yamada, 25, was brought in to strengthen Celtic’s attacking options and was tipped to make his mark during pre-season. The match against Ajax, part of the Como Cup, looked like a good opportunity for him to get his first runout in green and white.
📋 A reminder of tonight’s team news!
Here’s how Celtic line up to take on Ajax for #FootballOnTheLake 👇#ComoCup | #CelticFC 🍀 pic.twitter.com/QEZBgoESpR
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 24, 2025
With Brendan Rodgers rotating his squad heavily during these friendlies, fans were expecting to see some of the new arrivals given a chance to show what they can do.
Instead, Yamada’s sudden absence raised more questions than answers. Whether he picked up a late knock in training, is managing an injury, or was removed for a completely different reason remains unclear.
With the club staying silent so far, it’s unknown if he’ll be available for the next friendly.
Celtic are currently nearing the end of their pre-season schedule, using these games to build fitness and test out new combinations before the competitive fixtures begin.
The match against Ajax is one of their toughest tests so far, and it was expected to give players like Yamada a real chance to impress the manager.
For now, his brief appearance on the original team sheet, followed by his quiet removal, remains a mystery.
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