Why Celtic's Defensive Dominance Isn't Enough – And What Hayato Inamura's Arrival Really Means

Domestic defensive might meets European uncertainty: Why Celtic's transfer strategy leaves me anxious ahead of the Champions League Playoffs.

As pre-season begins and our crucial Champions League playoff looms just a month away, despite the buzz of a new season returning once more – there’s also, a touch of anxiety. Celtic has just wrapped up another season where we dominated the domestic game winning the league and cup double. We also had the best defensive record in the Scottish Premiership statistically, and have had between July 2020 and July 2025, consistently conceding fewer goals than the rest of the league. Yet, despite this domestic solidity, a nagging question persists: why do we still feel so vulnerable at the back?

The answer, it seems, lies in our transfer strategy, squad make-up, and the recent arrival of a project player that has raised more eyebrows than cheers.

A Tale of Two Defenses: Domestic Might vs. European Ambition

For five years, Celtic have been a defensive juggernaut in Scotland. Seasons have seen us regularly topping the charts for fewest goals conceded, showcasing a robust backline that has proven more than capable of handling the Premiership's challenges. Last season, for example, saw us concede a mere 26 goals in 38 games, evidence to the structure and quality within the starting XI. This consistent domestic performance is a cornerstone of our league dominance.

However, Europe is a different beast entirely. It demands not just defensive discipline, but individual quality, pace, and an ability to cope with the relentless pressure applied by Europe's best. And this is where the cracks show.

A Positive Net Spend, But At What Cost?

Delving into our transfer dealings for defenders between July 2020 and July 2025 reveals an unsurprising financial picture. Celtic have pretty much spent the same amount of money on signing defenders as they have selling them around £45 - 48 million - if we don’t factor in loan fees.

However, this is largely due to the transfers like Kristoffer Ajer (£13.5M - £14M to Brentford), Jeremie Frimpong (£9.5M - £10M to Bayer Leverkusen), and Josip Juranovic (£7.5M - £8.5M to Union Berlin) brought in significant funds, showcasing Celtic's ability to develop talent and sell them on for a substantial profit. Frimpong himself has gone on to thrive in the Bundesliga and earned himself a big money move to Liverpool, highlighting his undeniable quality. With Celtic cashing in on his sell-on fee also.

But herein lies the rub. While financially astute, this strategy has left us short in terms of genuine European-level depth. We've replaced top-tier talent with a mix of promising prospects and players who, while perfectly adequate for the Scottish Premiership, do not possess the consistent high-level attributes required for Champions League group stage football.

The Elephant in the Room

Looking at the current defensive options outside our main back four – Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alistair Johnston, and now the returning Kieran Tierney – the concern grows. While we've brought in players like Austin Trusty, and have Liam Scales as a Rodgers’ favourite option, the depth beyond these players remains a talking point. Especially since neither Trusty or Scales have really set the heather alight with their performances.

The recent free transfer return of Kieran Tierney is a massive boost, offering a proven Champions League calibre player at left-back. However, his injury history is well-documented, and the recent departure of Greg Taylor to PAOK leaves us without a like-for-like, experienced backup for Tierney. Loan signings like Álex Valle and Jeffrey Schlupp previously, while offering glimpses of potential, are only temporary solutions that often don't provide the long-term stability or immediate impact needed.

And now, into this critical mix, we welcome Hayato Inamura. The 23-year-old Japanese defender has joined from Albirex Niigata on a four-year deal for a reported fee of around £250,000. Brendan Rodgers' words on his arrival – "He's a young player full of promise and potential. I know that he's delighted to be taking this next step in his career by joining us, and we look forward to welcoming him into the squad" – felt strangely detached. Almost as if the manager himself wasn't the driving force behind the signing, but rather acknowledging a decision made for him.

Inamura is clearly a project player, a low-cost, high-potential investment. While such signings can pay dividends in the long run, it's a telling move just weeks before a make-or-break Champions League tie - especially with the impending transfer of Maik Nawrocki out of the club. Much to my disbelief and bewilderment. It signals that immediate, experienced, Champions League-ready defensive reinforcement is not the priority, or perhaps, simply the club think they’ve got defenders that can do the job.

The reality is, when injuries hit, or suspensions bite, the players stepping in from outwith our main four are a level or two below what's required to compete against the likes of a Bayern Munich, an Aston Villa, or a Borussia Dortmund. This isn't a slight on their commitment or effort, but a stark reflection of the jump in quality needed at that level. Bringing in a player who, by the manager's own words, is taking his "next step in his career" suggests he's not expected to hit the ground running let alone be a key European starter for us.

One Month to Go

With just one month until that crucial Champions League playoff, the pressure is on. Our domestic defensive record is second to none [apart from a number of hairy moments], but it also creates a false sense of security regarding our aspirations in Europe. The cold hard truth is that while we've shrewdly managed our defensive assets financially, the reinvestment hasn't translated into consistent, ready-made European quality across the entire defensive unit.

I’d hope that Rodgers would be aware of these challenges. The coming weeks will be vital. Will Celtic's hierarchy back the manager with the necessary investment to truly bridge the gap, or will we once again rely on our starting defenders and gamble on project players or players that are in to meet the homegrown criteria to carry the load, knowing that one slip or one injury could derail our European dreams and seriously impact our domestic campaign as well? I’ll hold my breath, hoping that the Celtic board actually do proper business to strengthen the squad rather than weaken it and fill the void with cheap signings and project players.

The time for the board speculating is over; the time for decisive action is now. They need to spend the money that they’re getting for Kuhn, that they received for Kyogo in January, and the sell-on fee they will receive for Frimpong also.

Will it happen? I think we all know the answer to that. We know the Celtic board all too well.