CELTIC ace Reo Hatate admits his dream derby day double was the most perfect start to life in Scotland.
However, the Japanese midfielder insists his brace against Rangers back in February made him a target for his rivals in Scottish football.
The 24-year-old set Ange Postecoglou's team on their way to the well deserved 3-0 victory over the Gers shortly after the winter break last season.
And Hatate reckons he was man marked for pretty much every single league match afterwards, as a result.
He said: “I think people played against me differently after that, the marking became tighter — more physical.
“Players would catch me on the ankle more when they were going for the ball. I think the opponents watched the game and thought, ‘I have to do this now’.”
He added: “I am glad my years of work had prepared me for an occasion like that.
“But when it comes to what happened against Rangers with my goals, I think God was on my side!
“I remember getting goosebumps the first time I went on the pitch just before the kick-off.
“I was really nervous about that but then I was calm. I really felt the atmosphere and the fact that it blended into that pitch.
"Did I enter the zone that night? I think that’s a time you say that you can see the ball slowly or the opponent’s movements slowly.
“But I’ve no such experience, so what is the zone? I don’t know if that’s the case.
“However, I had a strong feeling and I think that these parts combined to make it a perfect match for me.”
