New Celtic hero Reo Hatate has opened up on his first Old Firm experience with the Glasgow giants, with the Japanese star blown away by the occasion.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, the 24-year-old midfielder revealed that playing against Rangers was something he had next experienced before as a player, with Hatate the star of the show on the night.
The January signing scored two and assisted another as Celtic cruised past Rangers 3-0 to overtake their city rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, with the blue side of Glasgow leading the standings for most of the season.
With the Hoops winning their last five SPL games, Celtic are in some of the best form they have been under Ange Postecoglou, whose scouting knowledge of Japan has been influential this season.
As well as Hatate, Kyogo Furuhashi has been a major success with Celtic, with Yosuke Ideguchi and Daizen Maeda also being signed by the Australian coact.
And the latest hero in the Old Firm was blown away by the entire experience of playing against Rangers.
Hatate said: “I don’t think you need to necessarily compare this feeling to anything else, but being able to experience something entirely new will no doubt help further progress my football career, it was a wonderful experience.”
Hatate is already a Celtic icon after heroics against Rangers
Making a name for yourself at Celtic is one of the biggest achievements a player can make whilst with the club, and Hatate has already managed that and some after his masterclass against Rangers last week.
The Japanese midfielder has only been in Scotland for a month, yet the 24-year-old will already go down in Celtic folklore for his sensational performance against Rangers, with fans no doubt eager to see more from Hatate for the remainder of the season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
