Determined Reo Hatate reckons he can hit new heights at Celtic now he's freshened up and learned the tricks of the trade in Scotland.
The Japanese star is gearing up for his return to pre-season after a whirlwind opening to his Parkhead career.
Hatate burst onto the scene in January with a sensational debut against Hibs before his double against Rangers made him an instant fans hero.
However, the 24-year-old admits that, after the initial honeymoon period, things began to slow.
With fatigue kicking in after coming straight from a J-League term at Kawasaki Frontale, Hatate’s form dipped below the spectacular early standards set.
Nonetheless, the midfielder was able to maintain his position at the heart of the successful title win after fighting off the tiredness.
Hatate proved his strength of body and mind to stay injury-free during those closing weeks.
And, with five months of Premiership experience and a summer rest under his belt, the Japanese ace is really rocking to get started again.
Hatate feels Celtic might be about to see his very best as he said: "There’s a lot more I can give to the team.
“The team was in second place when I joined, just a few points from the top.
“After we won an important game against the Rangers, we stayed on top of the standings for good. I think we excelled because everyone on the team worked hard.
“Personally, I felt I was able to get some momentum with two goals and one assist in that game against the Rangers. I gained new confidence, and I felt that I was finally able to contribute to the team’s victory when it really mattered.
“But I feel I’m contributing more when I’m doing everything I’m capable of, including scoring goals, assisting, and running for the team.
“I played well in my first few games as I was in a very good condition and the opponents weren’t familiar with how I played.
"After a while, playing started to become more physically demanding. Also, the opponents started to pay more attention to me and mark me more tightly. February and March were tough as I had to play continuously with no time to recover.
“Before I knew it, May was here. I had actually played non-stop for a year and half. I’m grateful my body could hold up and stay healthy.
“Although my physical condition declined towards the end of the season, I still feel positive that I fought without injury and I was very happy to win the team. However, I also felt regret that I could do more.
“Since I came to Scotland alone, I had a lot of time to think about good and bad and I started thinking calmly about various things.
“I’ve come to read books and watch movies a lot. I came from Japan with a strong desire to succeed in soccer, however, at the same time, I also want to grow as a human being.
“There are many new things to notice, such as cultural and language barriers and how to deal with time alone, so I feel that I am gradually growing as a person.
“Of course, I really feel the growth of soccer every day. Sometimes what you’ve done in Japan doesn’t work at all. It’s not the norm in Japan.
“You also need to understand and practice the styles and differences of Scottish football. I think that there is growth while repeating the process of adapting while feeling such things.
“I was good to be able to play in a place with a different culture, environment and style in the new challenge of playing in an overseas club.
“I think that the fact that I was able to face soccer firmly every day without neglecting preparations and care was the reason why I fought for a long time.
“However, if I pay close attention to the quality of my own performance, I honestly feel that I may have been able to perform a little better.
“At least I had more expectations for myself. However, I think it was a good start.”
Hatate coped with living in a hotel at the beginning, but he’s got a home at Celtic Park and treasures the experiences he’s already enjoyed.
Now it’s about the next step and the Japanese kid is excited.
In an article from fromtheathlete.com, he said: “After my transfer, I realised how fortunate I am to be able to play on a pitch in front of 60,000 supporters. I think athletes can shine because of the energy from the fans.
“I had goosebumps when I stood on the pitch of the Celtic's stadium for the first time. The overwhelming cheers I heard the moment I entered the stadium were deeply moving and unforgettable.
“I also felt a big difference in football culture. When I’m walking down the street, many people talk to me, saying things like: Photo with me? Or sign please? You can tell how passionate they are about football.
“As for the future, now that we’ve earned a spot in the Champions League, we need to achieve results. I think my real challenge overseas will begin when I go back to Scotland.
“I’ve only been there six months, so I should be able to have a sense of achievement for living and playing overseas at the end of a full year. I’ll continue to do my best in the next season.”
