If there is one thing this pre-season is showing, it is that Celtic have a paper-thin roster right now and need to make additions as soon as possible. The club have parted with players left, right and centre over the past few weeks without bringing many fresh faces. Most of their signings were made earlier in the window and quite a few of them are not ready to contribute out of the gate.
Striker is one position where Celtic need to make a good signing. One player they have brought in recently is Shin Yamada, with the Japanese international arriving from Kawasaki Frontale.
Celtic fans are hoping that he proves to be a pleasant surprise, just like Hayato Inamura, who has exceeded all expectations in pre-season. And it had looked like they were going to get their first glimpse at Yamada after he was named on the bench for the friendly against Ajax.
Then, out of nowhere, another team sheet was uploaded and Yamada was no longer on the team. That has raised concerns. Was it a mistake on the part of the social media team to include the striker? Or did he pick up an injury during the warm-ups?
Celtic fans left concerned by Brendan Rodgers' mystery decision
Celtic fans were left asking about Yamada in the comment section of the team announcement. One wrote: "What happened to Shin Yamada who was on the bench in earliers team sheet?"
Another added: "Yamada was named as a sub on the original teamsheet, but has been removed."
Some even joked that the club had already transferred him to make a 'quick profit'. But all jokes aside, it remains to be seen why Yamada was mysteriously left out of the team after being originally named on it.
One can only hope that it is not an injury that he has picked up. If the recent rumours are anything to go by, it does feel like the Hoops are hoping to have a look at Yamada before making a decision on their striker search this summer.