The Hoops dipped into Japan for the same reason European football’s big guns now love a ScotGLASGOW, SCOTLAND – APRIL 12: Celtic’s Daizen Maeda celebrates with Reo Hatate after scoring to make it 2-0 during a William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park, on April 12, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

Bjorn Hamberg believes the fallout from the Covid pandemic has forced European big guns to make Scottish football’s market a must-go port of call.

The former Feyenoord assistant boss has watched a host of clubs look for tartan talent after traditionally turning their nose up at recruiting talent from these shores.

He said: “It’s great see Scottish players now making a mark at clubs across Europe. It’s a relatively new frontier and the Covid pandemic has been a factor in that.

“Clubs had to reassess how to do business and run their recruitment departments at a more sustainable level.

“A lot of these clubs had to look deeper into different markets and Scotland has become one of them where value for money can be found.

“It’s similar to what Celtic did with the Japanese market – and they did amazingly well.

“It has been too easy to target proven footballers and players for the here-and-now.

“Scouting for talent is now about having a belief you can find quality footballers anywhere in the world.

“The trend for British players moving abroad is now well established with the likes of Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold being Real Madrid players.

(Image: Getty Images)

“You look back and see David Beckham moving to AC Milan and PSG – at the time it seemed unbelievable.

“Now it’s far more commonplace and Scottish players are part of that trend as the lines are far blurrier with moves from country to country in Europe.

“Lawrence Shankland moved to Beerschot in Belgium a few years ago and is now a Scotland striker.

“Moves like that are now routine. Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour have had an amazing season as title winners at Napoli. Josh Doig and Lewis Ferguson are doing well playing in Serie A.”

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