The Hoops dipped into Japan for the same reason European football’s big guns now love a Scot![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/0_21352467.jpg\")
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – APRIL 12: Celtic\u2019s 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)<\/p>\n
Bjorn Hamberg believes the fallout from the Covid pandemic has forced European big guns to make Scottish football<\/a>\u2019s market a must-go port of call.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cIt\u2019s great see Scottish players now making a mark at clubs across Europe. It\u2019s a relatively new frontier and the Covid pandemic has been a factor in that.<\/p>\n \u201cClubs had to reassess how to do business and run their recruitment departments at a more sustainable level.<\/p>\n \u201cA 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.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s similar to what Celtic<\/a> did with the Japanese market \u2013 and they did amazingly well.<\/p>\n “It has been too easy to target proven footballers and players for the here-and-now.<\/p>\n \u201cScouting for talent is now about having a belief you can find quality footballers anywhere in the world.<\/p>\n \u201cThe trend for British players moving abroad is now well established with the likes of Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold being Real Madrid players.<\/p>\n \u201cYou look back and see David Beckham moving to AC Milan and PSG<\/a> \u2013 at the time it seemed unbelievable.<\/p>\n \u201cNow it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cLawrence Shankland<\/a> moved to Beerschot in Belgium a few years ago and is now a Scotland striker.<\/p>\n \u201cMoves 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Follow Record Sport<\/strong> on Twitter<\/a>, Facebook<\/a> and Instagram<\/a> for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.<\/p>\n You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers<\/a> and Celtic<\/a> pages, and sign up to our newsletters<\/a> to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.<\/p>\n We’re also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here<\/a> and our Celtic community here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tune in to Hotline Live<\/a> every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport’s newest podcast, Game On<\/a>, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.<\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/0_West-Ham-United-v-Brighton-Hove-Albion-Premier-League.jpg\")
(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n