You can always count on Japanese based journalist Dan Orlowitz to keep Celtic abreast of international developments.
And the latest news is brilliant if you are Reo Hatate – given the Celtic midfielder it has been confirmed will receive his first cap against Vietnam today – but perhaps something that will elicit a touch of nervousness amongst the Celtic support, who will be wishing our Japanese star well, but waiting with bated breath as to news Hatate has come through his debut unscathed, with the not insignificant matter of a Glasgow Derby to come this weekend.
‘Lots of changes for tonight, and there is Reo Hatate getting his first start in the blue kit. Mitoma starting as well after his heroics in Sydney.’
Lots of changes for tonight, and there is Reo Hatate getting his first start in the blue kit. Mitoma starting as well after his heroics in Sydney. https://t.co/AAYMzghrmL
— Dan Orlowitz (@aishiterutokyo) March 29, 2022
This first cap for Hatate is of course good news, after all the player had to watch from the subs bench as Japan defeated Australia last time out to confirm their place at a seventh consecutive World Cup – and it’s certainly a long trip to make without seeing some action.
Now all we want to see is Reo Hatate do himself justice, stake a claim for a place in Japan’s squad for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, but also avoid any injuries and return to Celtic in time to head to Ibrox and give us all a repeat performance of the ‘skelping our Japanese playmaker handed out theRangers in his Glasgow Derby last month.
Update, Reo has won his first cap and has come through it injury free!
My Celtic-centric followers will be relieved to know that Hatate has been subbed out for Junya Ito as we start the second half.
— Dan Orlowitz (@aishiterutokyo) March 29, 2022
Niall J
#SAMURAIBLUE 🇯🇵
3/27 #旗手怜央 選手コメント🔹💬「人と比べず、自分にフォーカスを置いて、自分の特長を出していきながらやることが一番いい」@CelticFC #CelticFC #jfa #daihyo #サッカー日本代表#ともに戦おう #新しい景色を2022 pic.twitter.com/jlWhIZBFBo
— サッカー日本代表🇯🇵3.29【SB】vsベトナム🇻🇳【U21】vsサウジアラビア🇸🇦 (@jfa_samuraiblue) March 28, 2022
