Celtic star Reo Hatate revealed he was stunned he was included in Japan's Asian Cup squad because he thought injury would rule him out.
The Hoops ace looks certain to win his sixth cap when Japan kick off their tournament tomorrow with a game against Vietnam in Doha and they also play Iraq and Indonesia.
Hatate was ruled out for the Celtic for over two months after a hamstring injury in October and only returned to play the last 19 minutes in the Parkhead side's final game before the split at St Mirren.
But unlike teammate Kyogo Furuhashi, Hatate was still named in the squad for the tournament.
And the 26-year-old is desperate to play a part in the Asian Cup after missing out on the last World Cup, also in Qatar.
He said: "Honestly, I thought it was going to be very difficult for me to make the squad because I have not started a game for Celtic for a long time.
"So to be included in a major tournament for the first time as a Japan player is a dream come true. I am desperate to do my best for the team.
"I am lucky enough to have won trophies and I like the feeling, so to do it with Japan would be incredible and that is my ambition.
"The more trophies I win, the better it feels.
"I believe I can fit into the team because Japan wants me to do similar things that I do with Celtic. They want me to push forward from midfield and I do that on a daily basis at Celtic.
"Shooting and passing are my strengths.
"I am hoping I can show them in the Asian Cup."
