The midfilder has shone for his country in a major tournament as Celtic wait for his return to Scotland.
Rampaging Reo Hatate has left Japan fans keen for more after an impressive first start for the Land of the Rising Sun on Asian Cup business.
Brendan Rodgers would love to have him available for Celtic selection right now but he will pleased to see the midfielder put in a starring show in a 3-1 win over Indonesia. The victory seals a knockout round spot for Japan and Daizen Maeda also appeared in the game as a second half substitute.
While a regular in Hajime Moriyasu’s squads, he had only appeared six times before Wednesday’s game. Hatate had a towering passing completion rate before being subbed with just over 20 minutes to go, with a big chance created and 68 touches overall. He won four of his five ground duels and won the only aerial battle he was involved in, his performance impressing onlooking supporters. One simply put “Reo Hatate, a really good player.”
One other fan agreed with thoughts firmly turning to the knockouts, saying “I thought a lot of the substitutions after taking the lead would be from players who I want to use for a certain amount of time next time,’ so I think it’s positive that Reo Hatate was in first. It was so good to see.”
J League memories were evoked when one claimed “I’ve loved Reo Hatate’s play since he was in Kawasaki.” Another added: “A player like Reo Hatate can create a decisive opportunities from any position.”
Performances in the Middle-East will be a promising sign for Celtic punters. Hatate spent a chunk of the first half of the Premiership season out injured but now looks to be kicking back into top gear.
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