Kaoru Mitoma to Celtic transfer near miss revealed as Ange wanted Brighton breakout star alongside Kyogo

Five years ago Ange Postecoglou watched two Japanese kids emerge at Kawasaki Frontale – and knew they were destined for the top.

One of them was Kaoru Mitoma. Now at Brighton, the winger is ripping up the Premier League. With interest from Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City and Real Madrid, the Seagulls wouldn’t part with him for anything less than £40million. Incredibly, the Celtic boss has revealed he tried to bring Mitoma to Glasgow when he arrived at Parkhead as gaffer. He was convinced he’d do a job for Hoops but was left frustrated as Brighton closed in on the Japan international.

The other 20-year-old to catch Postecoglou’s eye in 2018 was Reo Hatate. Thankfully for the Celtic fans, he was snared by their Aussie boss. And Hatate has made such an impact in Scotland that he’s hotly tipped to be this season’s Player of the Year. Just like with Mitoma, Postecoglou knew the midfielder had what it took to play at the highest level.

And nothing he’s done at Parkhead so far has changed his mind. But why did Hatate fly under the radar in Japan before the Celtic gaffer got his man?

He said: “It actually wasn’t that long because Reo got into professional football late after being at university. He didn’t make his debut in Japan until he was 21.

“He only had a few years over there before Celtic. But I’d watched him and he broke in at the same time as Mitoma at Kawasaki Frontale.

“They were outstanding from the first moment they started playing. I knew Reo was going to be a very good footballer – with the potential to reach the very top.

“And he’s been excellent for us. He’s only been here just over a year and has already made great strides. But he’s still got so far to go in the game. He’s going to be a top player