Celtic have started their January sales early with Japanese champions Vissel Kobe agreeing a £870,000 deal to sign forgotten on loan midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi, according to reports in his homeland.

The 27-year-old was at the centre of a battle between Vissel Kobe and his current loan club Avispa Fukuoka, who Ideguchi helped win the Japanese League Cup this season.

And Kobe have reportedly won the battle to sign him after agreeing the fee with Celtic to sign the player officially on January 15, when the J-League transfer window reopens.

The Japanese international midfielder returned to his homeland earlier this year after a frustrating spell in Glasgow.

He suffered an ankle break in one of his first games back in March, but recovered quickly and was widely praised for his performances in the J-League.

Kobe needed a replacement for Mitsuki Saito, who has suffered a long-term injury, in midfield and see Ideguchi as a long-term successor for captain and Japanese international Hotaru Yamaguchi, who is now 34.

Celtic will even make a tiny profit on the sale of the player, who cost them £850,000 when he signed in 2022 from Gamba Osaka.

But he started just one single game during his time at the club - in a Scottish Cup tie away at Alloa - and made only three sub appearances in the league.

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Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers has welcomed the return of the Green Brigade to Parkhead for the upcoming clash against Livingston.

Members of the group had been unable to attend home or away matches since the end of October.

However, the bitter feud between the club and the group appears to have ceased with the Green Brigade ready to return to their usual standing section.

The issue between the two parties has reportedly been resolved with an updated code of conduct for the section of the stadium that houses the Green Brigade signed off.

And Rodgers hopes the atmosphere will be strong against David Martindale's men.

He said: "Celtic's history is littered with late goals and a big part of that is down to the fans and the whole stadium getting behind the team. That's what makes Celtic.

"When you have the manager, the supporters and the players all on the same page it's a real force.

"But we know when the atmosphere is white hot at Celtic it makes it a really difficult place to come, and it gives the players the extra edge as well. Listen for the guys to be back in there it's great.

"They have given an ambience in that corner section. The club gave them that opportunity to have the first safe standing area in Britain, so hopefully they can get back in tomorrow and support the team.

"It's their responsibility as well as the whole stadium to really get behind the team to help us get the result."