There was a Daizen Maeda lookalike posing for pictures outside the Panasonic Stadium before a 1-0 win over Gamba Osaka, writes Michael Gannon in Japan. The real one could have done with a VAR camera after being denied another goal on home soil by a ropey offside call – before Alexandro Bernabeii raced into the frame to give the Far East End Bhoys among the 20,000 in the stands sometime to celebrate.
Maeda was wrongly flagged after burying Reo Hatate’s cute pass as Celtic signed off from their Japan trip with victory with Gamba Osaka.
Boss Brendan Rodgers wanted his defence to sharpen up after the 6-4 defeat to Yokohama F Marinos three days' earlier. And he got his wish as Celts kept the clean sheet and carved out enough chances to be further ahead.
But the got the goal with six minutes to go when Berbabei charged down the keeper and it was another good workout for the Scottish Champions – with Rodgers rolling out two different teams for each half.