Reo Hatate

I’ve always liked his mentality in terms of no matter how badly he could be playing he always still demands the ball and tries to be the difference. He had some excellent CL performances this season but if he is staying which i would be surprised about then he needs to start upping it in the derbies. I would generally rather have the players calm for a derby but its like he’s so relaxed the game is too fast paced for him.

 

Reo Hatate is a man on a mission at Celtic this season and the clock is ticking. And the midfielder is not going to waste a second.


Hatate is not usually a player that struggled for motivation but he’s got added incentive to bust a gut for the next 12 months.


The 27-year-old is hooked on the winning feeling with the Hoops but he also has his sights on the World Cup in North America next summer.

And he fears this could be his LAST chance of being part of the biggest show on the planet




Hatate is a regular in the Japan squad but he’s not taking his place for granted.

The playmaker is going be like a man possessed every single day to make sure he doesn’t miss out.


Hatate said: “It’s going to be very important what you build up on a daily or weekly basis. “I am going to work hard in every single training session and game because that is what it will take to get there.

“It is a big dream of mine. Of course it is. The World Cup is very important.

“It’s difficult to say what it would mean to me to be part of it with Japan.


But this could be my last chance. I will be 29-years old next year, so the next time I will be almost 33.

“I don’t know how I will be at that point. But I do know I will do everything I can to get there.

“My mindset will be that this is my last chance so I will give everything.”




A fired up Hatate is good news for Celtic. He also brushed off any talk around him leaving the club.

His focus is fully on Celts, starting the season strongly and adding to his already impressive roll of honour.

Hatate has won eight medals in his three-and-a-half years but he’s not a man who looks in the rear view mirror.


There’s no looking back in anger at the way his season ended early last time out either.

Hatate was forced to miss the Scottish Cup Final after a needless late tackle by Aberdeen’s Papa Gueye when the Dons were already 5-1 down.

The Japan star has no bad feelings about the Pittodrie man though and the hard thing for humble star was the feeling he was letting down fans by not being able to play.



Hatate is back firing now and notched in Saturday’s friendly defeat to Estrela in Portugal.

Speaking at Celtic's pre-season camp on the outskirts of Lisbon, he said: “I feel good. My fitness is getting better and we have had a lot of good coaching.

“There’s no frustration – I am just looking forward to the new season.



The worst thing about being injured is I felt like I let the team down. There were games left to win trophies and I couldn’t do anything to help.

“That was the hard part for me.

“I wouldn’t say I was angry at the tackle. It’s all in the past but I would hope something similar doesn’t happen in the future




I have been training very hard and my conditioning will improve. I am always looking to improve my game and that is my hope for the new season.

“I have won a lot of titles at Celtic but you always want to win more. Whenever there is a chance to lift a trophy you need to go for it. I am still hungry for more.




Hatate is also preparing to welcome another Japan star into the Celtic fold. The Hoops snapped up defender Hayato Inamura for his homeland this summer and striker Shin Yamada is expected to join up at the end of the week.

Hatate was warned the new boys not to be fooled by the sensational weather at the weekend but while it might always be sunny in Scotland, there is a bright future for him at the club.

He said: “I must admit I don’t know him (Shin). I don’t know about his situation but I do know that any player who comes to Celtic it is a very good move for their reputations.




It is a great club that competed for titles and in Europe. If he is a player who comes to us then I will hopefully have a good relationship with him on the pitch and I will try to create the chances for him.”

Hatate is convinced Yamada can settle in Scotland just as he has done – even if the lingo is still a struggle at times.

When asked about life in Glasgow, he joked: ““There’s no sun! I am used to it now, so it’s not a problem. I enjoy my life in Scotland.



It’s very busy with games and training so it’s not like I have a lot of time to do go places and do tourist things during the season.

“But I like to go to restaurants or coffee shops, even just got for walks and enjoy the nice scenery and views.

“I have already warned Hayato about the weather!

 

Sounds like he's in a good place and I am here for it. If he can stay at a good level for most of the season it will be a monumental bonus for us.

 

I actually thought it was almost guaranteed he'd leave this summer, was fully expecting him to be the other big name to be gone.

However, there's been no links to him yet and the above interview is promising.

I'd much rather keep him another year and sell at a lesser price next year, same with Maeda.

 

Suppose moving now could be risky for his world cup intentions. He could go somewhere and not get game time. I really hope he stays. I also think hes got 3 years left unlike Maeda

 

Aye you wonder if the Kyogo situation has made him have a rethink

 

Aye - that's how I'm seeing it. We need his creativity (and more). If we lose that then we are far too one-dimensional.

 

Yes he has a wee dip every now and again however, he is the most creative player in the team (take note Engles) and loosing him would be a disaster

 

He was easily our 2nd best player behind Maeda the second half of last season and particularly towards the end of the season. If he had played in the cup final we would have won.

It would be great to keep him.