Mizuno aims to make Celtic mark

Mizuno has now played twice for the Celtic reserve side

Celtic's Japanese winger Koki Mizuno is relieved that his new Parkhead career is finally up and running.

The 22-year-old signed in January but a series of reserve game postponements delayed his debut until last week.

He has now played twice for the second string and told Celtic View: "My target is to win a place on the bench for the first team over the next few months."

Meanwhile, Celtic say any end-of-season trip to Japan should not be seen as a bid to block an extension to the SPL.

The club are considering a tour of the Far East, where their popularity has grown since the signings of Shunsuke Nakamura and Mizuno.

However, SPL leaders Rangers face a possible fixture pile-up if they continue to progress in the Uefa Cup.

Putting back the final day of the Premier League season - currently scheduled for 18 May - could allow them some breathing space.

A spokesperson for the club said: "Celtic have been considering a possible invitation to tour Japan and this will be looked at in further detail over the next few weeks, but no final decision has yet been taken.

"Clearly, with Celtic now enjoying great support in Japan, this is something which the club needs to consider, as it did previously when we made a similar visit.

"The club can state very clearly that any discussions with regards to an end-of-season tour have been continuing for some time and have absolutely nothing to do with any recent debate around extending the SPL season."

Mizuno featured in reserve wins over Rangers and Gretna, although he had to be withdrawn with an ankle knock in the second game.

"I felt comfortable playing in the game and I was happy, as well as relieved that I'd managed to play my first game in Scotland," he said.

"It is a bit more physical. You find the players are that bit taller and sometimes you get challenges when you don't expect it."