Reo Hatate travelled halfway around the world to meet up with his international teammates, then watched on from the bench for the entirety of Japan’s 2-0 win over Australia, which assured Japan’s qualification for a seventh consecutive World Cup.
So how did Hatate feel about a long trip and watching on as spectator? Frustrated? Disillusioned? Nope – it made him ‘really happy’.
Speaking to Japanese media outlet Ultra Soccer, Hatate shows a team-ethic and level of patience that shows the Hoops January signing has not only a technical ability to perform at the highest level, he also has the character required to recognise even without playing in that important fixture, there are plenty of positives to take from training alongside his Japan teammates.
“I am happy to be able to train with so many high-level players. I think I am able to show myself. I think it is meaningless if I don’t show what I do on a daily basis on the field, so I am enjoying myself without being afraid of making mistakes.
“I’m playing in midfield for my team now, so I want to play there (for Japan), but I also have experience playing left-back and on the wing. So if I can play there, I would like to. However, I am grateful to be able to play in the position I play in my own team, so I hope to play in midfield.
“I am not focused on the position, but on my game. I have a lot of experience in this area.”
Hatate’s ability and mindset will be crucial for Celtic this weekend as the Hoops head for Ibrox, where a win would put Celtic six points clear in the title race and complete an incredible 12-point turnaround from the winter break at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
And whilst Hatate’s inclusion will strike fear into theRangers on Sunday, there is one more thing Hatate will be aiming to do before he gets to thinking about a repeat ‘skepling performance at Ibrox on Sunday – that first cap for Japan.
Japan’s qualification now means national boss Hajime Moriyasu has a chance to use Tuesday night’s game with Vietnam as an opportunity to have a look at those on the periphery of the Japanese squad, and you’d like to think after travelling from Glasgow, that Hatate may well be rewarded with that debut for his national team, and with it, come back from international duty brimming with confidence.
And there is a good chance Hatate will realise his dream. After all with qualification assured, only the pride of remaining top of their qualification group ahead of Saudi Arabia is left for Japan to play for, meaning Hatate must have a chance of the gametime his long journey and patient attitude deserves.
Niall J
