Ange Postecoglou has addressed the likelihood of Celtic midfielder, Reo Hatate, making an appearance for the Japanese international team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The Celtic gaffer reckons Hatate will have the chance to prove his worth for his International squad by continuing to improve his already rapidly developed form at Celtic.
Reo Hatate’s experience in the Japanese squad recently has been somewhat limited as he has been largely restricted to either the bench or being left out of the match day squad altogether, most recently being the friendly against the USA where Hatae was dropped from the 29 man squad by the Japanese head coach Hajime Moriyasu.
If Hatate is unsuccessful in reaching his goal of playing in the World Cup this year, Ange believes he has the necessary mentality to respond positively and keep pushing for his place in the Japanese team. Also, Ange thinks that if Hatate continues to be outstanding at the club level, it will be impossible for Hajime Moriyasu to ignore the midfielder.
As reported by the Daily Record, Ange Postecoglou said…
“I’m sure that is in his mind. It is sometimes hard with national teams because it all depends on the national team manager and what he is looking for and also the other players in the position he’s in. They have got a pretty experienced midfield pedigree in the Japanese national team, so it is pretty hard for someone like him to break through, but it is not going to stop him from trying.”
“He’s very ambitious, but, at the same time, he has been very good at focusing on making himself a strong member of this club first. His performances for us are the most important thing and he hasn’t had his focus taken away by what is happening at national team level, whether he has been in the squad or not played. He’s always come back here with a real determination to make an impact.”
“It’s hard to say [if he will make it]. It depends on what the national coach is looking for and what other players he has in that position. With the Japanese team traditionally, someone like Reo is still seen as a young player and, because of that, sometimes they take a little bit more time to integrate them.”
“Maybe it’ll be that this World Cup has come a little too early for him, but I don’t think it won’t stop his determination to try and get into it. And, if he doesn’t, I’m sure he will get his head down and make sure post-World Cup that he is a strong member of their national team.”
