KYOGO FURUHASHI, Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi's move to Celtic has reinstated the huge Japanese interest in Parkhead.

There has been a connection between the club and country since legend Shunsuke Nakamura's time at Parkhead.

And the new Japanese heroes at Celtic have brought around heightened interest from their homeland in Scottish football again.

Ange Postecoglou's connection with Japan was obvious having managed in the country before joining Celtic - and that only further adds to the developing connection between Celtic and Japan.

Forgotten Celtic man Koki Mizuno was another player whose arrival at Celtic sparked keen interest from his home nation - especially as he lined up alongside Nakamura.

And despite only scoring one goal during his two-year stint in Glasgow, Mizuno has revealed his strike against Falkirk - assisted by Nakamura - was a "huge" moment in developing the link between Celtic and Japan.

He told The Celtic View: “Celtic were on TV every week because Nakamura was always of interest.

“After I joined the club, Celtic got even more attention because there were two Japanese players together.

"Then, when I scored against Falkirk with Nakamura assisting me, it was huge.

“Now, there are four Japanese players at the club and the attention on Celtic here is more than in my day.

"Nakamura was big for me as I wanted to follow his steps.

"I hope Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi will be creating good steps for the next Japanese players who want to play for Celtic.”