Reo Hatate has admitted his wrecking of Rangers last season is the standard he has to try to continually hit in a Celtic jersey.
The Japanese international cemented a place in the hearts of the Hoops faithful with his derby-day heroics back in February this year. The midfielder netted a brace and created the other for Liel Abada in the 3-0 Parkhead win that put Ange Postecoglou’s side at the top of the table.
Celtic didn’t look back and went on to make it a dream double for the new manager after their League Cup triumph. “That became my standard to play,” the 24-year-old said. “I know it is not easy to perform like that in every game but I try my best to be as close to that standard as I can.” Hatate came in from Kawasaki Frontale in January along with his fellow countrymen Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi.
It was a market Postecoglou knew well from his own time in Japan with Yokohama Marinos and he had already seen the success of Kyogo Furuhashi in the first half of the Premiership season. Hatate’s all-action displays in the middle soon made him an instant Parkhead favourite. But those energy-sapping shifts also saw him hit a wall after he played a full season in Japan and finished off another here.
He admits there were times when he was tired and jaded in the run-in but after a summer of rest he has been able to recharge the batteries, as he gets ready to go all out again in his first full campaign for the Hoops. He also knows there is likely to be more pressure on him after the summer departures of midfielders Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton - although it is an area the Celtic recruitment team are actively trying to strengthen.
“During my time off I took some rest and did individual things away from football,” the Celtic star said. “It was important to be refreshed emotionally. I spent time with my family and people important to me. During the holidays I didn’t communicate with anybody (within football).”
Hatate also hopes to see a bit more of Scotland outside the football world over the coming months. The highlight so far has been a trip to Ayr beach. Now he’s determined to ensure Celtic’s title defence doesn’t get lost at sea.
The Japan ace said: “When I first arrived in Scotland I didn’t have enough time to enjoy everything. For example, a few weeks ago I went to the beach. I went down to the beach at Ayr. I enjoyed it and I would like to have some more good times next season.”
Hatate admits it has been a strange experience meeting Celtic supporters just about everywhere he goes. He said: “It is nice and I feel grateful having our supporters.”
It has been something of a culture shock for Hatate to swap the Far East for the east end of Glasgow. It has taken a bit of getting used to but he knows it has helped having Maeda, Kyogo and Ideguchi to help and support each other.
They all made their mark on the pitch last season although Ideguchi missed a chunk of the season after picking up a horror injury against Alloa. Now Hatate believes all four of them can hit even greater heights in the campaign ahead.
“It helps a lot,” he said. “Yes, we will help each other to contribute to the plan that is in place for us at Celtic.”
Hatate is currently in Austria with the rest of his Celtic team- mates. They got off to a winning start with a seven-goal victory over Austrian Third Division side Wiener Viktoria, despite several players watching from the stand after international exertions.
Hatate also flew out of the blocks, grabbing a goal in a busy performance that has become something of a trademark. He is still going up through the gears but plans to motor when the competitive games begin.
He said: “Pre-season has just begun and I would like to improve my fitness gradually.”
Celtic have a lot to look forward to both domestically and in Europe, as they make their return to the Champions League group stage. There will be some glitz and glamour but that is all well into the future for Hatate. He is very much taking it one game at a time and the next one is a lower-key European clash when Celtic take on Rapid Vienna in the next game of their tour tomorrow.
He said: “I am focused on each game, to have a good result and to contribute towards the team.”
Hatate has just one Japanese cap to his name but if he continues impressing at Celtic it will only be a matter of time before he is back with the Samurai Blue. And winning the league in his debut campaign hasn’t gone unnoticed in his homeland.
He said: “A lot of people congratulated me on winning the Premiership title.”
READ NEXT
