Reo Hatate

That always makes me laugh at his first goal, the two hun players running into eachother and staying down like they were fouled.

 

Still can't get over him being left out the national team for the world cup. Guy is pure class.

 

I could watch him all day..

A player that sees 2 or 3 steps ahead and has the ability whether it's carrying the ball, turning out of trouble or pinging a pass that didn't seem on with either foot..

Has literally everything. Hope he stays for as long as possible..

 

Highest ceiling of any player in our team, imo.

 

I think that's a tough call, but he's in the mix no doubt. In terms of pure potential and the level they could play at, I think you'd have to have Jota top of any list. Hatate, CCV right up there too.

 

Needs tied down on a long term contract in before the summer

 

REO HATATE has revealed he learns English on his way to Celtic training every day.

Then the Japanese star puts it to good use for crucial chats with boss Ange Postecoglou.


Hatate, 25, opened up on life in Glasgow a year on from his move from J.League side Kawasaki Frontale.

The midfielder has been in fine form since the Premiership restarted, and has two goals and four assists in his last seven games.

Hatate admits the last 12 months have been a blur at times, but reckons he’s improving with every passing week.

The Celtic star is growing used to Scottish culture, and is working hard to perfect his English.



On the pitch, he credits talks with Postecoglou and work with coach Gavin Strachan for making him more effective in the final third.

Hatate said: “There are times when I feel like, ‘It’s only been a year?’.

"Then there are times when I feel like the year’s gone in the blink of an eye.

“I’ve got used to life in Glasgow and I’ve developed some habits on my way to and from the training ground.




It takes about 30 to 40 minutes by car from my home and I spend my time studying English on the way.

“I take online lessons a few times a week and I am working on the assignments given there.

“Sometimes on the way home from training, I play my favourite music to refresh myself.

"Or I spend time thinking without any songs.

“Seeing a friend like Kaoru Mitoma show his strong individual skills at the World Cup with Japan made me reconsider my own strengths and what I need to improve.




I knew the answer myself, but I knocked on the door of the manager at Celtic just to get confirmation.

“In order to grow further, I went in there to listen to the challenges.

“When I visited the room, he said, ‘What you need to improve further is your quality in the attacking third’.

“His words gave me confidence because I had been looking at the issue myself.




At a press conference after the game, the manager told how I visit our coach after every game to review the video.

"Instead of revealing his own advice, he praised my efforts and the coach’s work.

“Such consideration and trust in the situation is where I can respect him as a manager and as a person.

“No matter where your position is, if you widen your range of play, you can appear in front of the goal.




And by pursuing quality in the attacking third more, you can then get results.

“Now I’m thinking that it will become a weapon, a feature, and a strong part of my game.”

Hatate also revealed his Champions League experiences with Celtic this season made him realise how ruthless the elite players are.

He added: “In the Champions League, the monsters of world football gather.




Against Real Madrid and RB Leipzig, we are able to carry the ball to the box in games. But there was a difference in how we finished.

"We didn’t win a single match, and we were confronted with that final quality in front of goal.

“The number of times I appear in the attacking zones has increased this year, but you need to connect with a goal or an assist.

“Seeing how ace players like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe led their teams to victory with goals in the Qatar World Cup made me realise it all the more.”




Hatate scored twice from right-back against St Johnstone as he was forced to fill in on Christmas Eve.

The midfielder revealed he’d never played there before, but had prepared for it by listening closely to Postecoglou in training.

Writing in his Sportiva diary, he said: “That was right after I went to seek advice from the manager.



Celtic had a shortage of right-back manpower, partly because of injuries.




I wondered what kind of team would play in the next game.

“When the meeting ended before the game, the manager called to me, ‘Reo, can you go to right-back?’.

“I was surprised for a moment, but thought it would be good for the team and so I replied, ‘Yes’.

“I have experience of playing left-back in Japan.

“But the detailed movements and positioning are completely different just by changing the side.

"In training, I always listen to the instructions of the manager and the coaches.




I am conscious of listening and understanding not only what I am saying to myself and my position, but also what I am telling players in all positions.

"Because of that, I remembered what the manager was demanding of the right-back, and went into the game knowing what I should do.

“Even though I was playing right-back, there was no change in me pursuing quality in front of goal, and I was able to score twice.

“For the first, I decided to shoot from the edge of the box


For the second, it was a movement to enter the attacking third that we have been working on for a long time.



We were able to demonstrate our quality, break down the defence and solve the problems.”

 

I agree, to an extent.

I only say to an extent cause I genuinely believe Calmac could be at any level already.

 

Ange spoke specifically about it but his fitness levels are night and day compared to last season, he was burst by half time in most games last season and was totally burned out in the run in, this season he’s a different animal however.

Getting him tied down is vital because I’d imagine a lot of top clubs have sat up and are taking notice of him.

 

No his best today..

 

Probably the worst he’s been all season, pitch was horrendous however so can let him off.

 

Very very poor game today was very lazy and gave the ball away sloppily too many times which led to Saints getting forward more often which isn't like him. Its rare so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt but can't afford many more of those performances with the big games that are coming up

 

First poor game in a while on a * pitch. Nothing to be alarmed about.

 

Ange himself said disappointing re goal conceded by losing possession midfield - had a poor game, pitch was dreadful though and did no one any favours.

nice week break for some things to be worked on, have zero doubt next Saturday at home he will back to himself