Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate has told Japanese website Ultra Soccer that he has found his first few months at Parkhead “difficult”. The Hoops signed Hatate in the January window, from J-League side Kawasaki Frontale.
Hatate, 24, cost Celtic just £1.4million (Scotsman), a fee that left Michael Stewart gobsmacked after the midfielder’s debut against Hibernian. Hatate has gone on to play 14 times in all competitions under Ange Postecoglou.
The competition is rife at Celtic in midfield. Postecoglou has also brought in Yosuke Ideguchi, Matt O’Riley and James McCarthy. Callum McGregor, Nir Bitton, Tom Rogic, Ismaila Soro and David Turnbull remain options.
Hatate has spoken out about his tricky adaptation to life in Scotland, and the difference between football in the Premiership compared to that in Japan. He has also given his verdict on Postecoglou’s tactics.
“The environment, pitch, and climate are different in Japan, so it took me a long time to get used to it. “It wasn’t easy. I was marked by the other teams and had to play a lot of games, so it was difficult in terms of my condition.
“I think it’s a two-month period in which I saw both the good and the bad sides. We play hard on the edge of the box, switching offensively and defensively quickly, playing at a high speed. So it was difficult to adjust.”
Hatate on Celtic: First 14 games exciting sign of things to come
While his form may have dipped in the last few games, especially after the heights of scoring a brace against Rangers in his first Old Firm derby – and creating the other to win 3-0 – Hatate looks a bargain at £1.4million.
There is no doubt that with every minute he plays for Celtic, trains at Lennoxtown and works under Postecoglou, the quicker he will adapt. Joining in January is always tricky, but Hatate has made a superb start.
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