A football finance expert has predicted Celtic’s acquisition of three more Japanese stars can lead to a major boost to their finances. 

Dr Rob Wilson of Sheffield Hallam University told The Sun he feels adding the treble signing of Ideguchi, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda to already in place superstar Kyogo Furuhashi will make a the Hoops a popular team to follow in the land of the rising sun. 

And the benefits are likely to be felt in more than just Parkhead. 

Wilson has identified significant value for all of Scottish football because of the potential for broadcast deals to the Far East to skyrocket in the coming years. 

Wilson said: “There is a tangible benefit to Scottish football, not just for Celtic, because you’ll see the demand for broadcast rights go up in Japan because they will want to see these players playing. 

“That will interest the broader Japanese broadcast market.” 

He added: “When these players move, especially to one club, it creates a surge in ‘followership’ and demand for the team’s products. 

“For Celtic this will open up a new market and will provide a strong income stream to support club revenues. I’d say it would be in the millions of pounds. 

“There will be a huge pull for Celtic.”