Reo Hatate has delivered a very frank interview on the toll taken by international football.
Between playing against Ross County on March 19 and the Glasgow Derby on April 3 the midfielder travelled to Australia where he was an unused substitute then back to Japan for his international debut.
On his first day back at training to prepare for the Ibrox clash Hatate felt that he was seeing two balls in training such was the extent of his jet-lag.
At Ibrox on April 3 Hatate was substituted by Nir Bitton in the 62nd minute.
While Celtic have clearly been given a title boost by the January signings of Hatate and Daizen Maeda there is an obvious price to pay with the new arrivals coming in from a very different environment to a club in mid-season.
If Celtic pick up the SPFL title on May 14 they are unlikely to face another competitive match until July 30 when the 2022/23 season gets underway.
In his latest diary entry for Sportiva, Reo Hatate wrote about his recent national team debut and adjusting to life at Celtic. https://t.co/4pMuFDMQmI
— Dan Orlowitz (@aishiterutokyo) April 20, 2022
“I think there’s meaning in Japan having to win out in a tough group, because when I moved to Celtic I wanted to get results with this team and play in the Champion’s League. I came to Europe so I could face off against players in Germany and Spain who regularly play in the CL.”
— Dan Orlowitz (@aishiterutokyo) April 20, 2022
On Celtic:
“Since my debut against Hibernian I’ve felt the intensity of the European game and played a number of games. The fact that I’ve kept getting appearances shows that the team trusts in me and that’s given me a lot of confidence.”
— Dan Orlowitz (@aishiterutokyo) April 20, 2022
“But for what feels like the first time, I’m definitely feeling emotional and physical fatigue. It’s been three months since I arrived in Glasgow and getting used to a new environment on and off the pitch has been trial and error.”
— Dan Orlowitz (@aishiterutokyo) April 20, 2022
“In Japan there were ways I could refresh myself and take a mental break but that’s difficult when you’re playing so frequently.
“There are times when can’t make a run on goal, or hold back on the attack to preserve the team’s balance, and I have to recognize my fatigue.”
— Dan Orlowitz (@aishiterutokyo) April 20, 2022
“For the national team I had to go to Australia, then Japan, and back to Scotland. It was my first call-up as an overseas player and I was confronted with the difficulty of maintaining your condition while traveling and then immediately having to get results for your team.”
— Dan Orlowitz (@aishiterutokyo) April 20, 2022
“When you’re away from your team on NT duty there’s a chance you can lose your position. My first day back at Celtic there was a moment that I saw two balls and was clearly jetlagged… but in Europe you need to be tough enough to stay fit and fight for your position.”
— Dan Orlowitz (@aishiterutokyo) April 20, 2022
“So to start against Rangers gave me a lot of confidence. It was huge to be able to help create the equalizer. On the match sheet I didn’t score a goal or record an assist, but it was huge that I was able to leave my mark on the team’s victory.”
— Dan Orlowitz (@aishiterutokyo) April 20, 2022
“I definitely feel tired but I want to keep doing whatever I can to help the team win the league, and I think I’ll become tougher and stronger as a result.”
— Dan Orlowitz (@aishiterutokyo) April 20, 2022
Good luck with everything young man. You have played your part in our great run which sees us sitting proudly at the top of the league. More than anyone the Japanese guys deserve credit for the endurance required in finishing a full league campaign before starting with the hoops in January without a break. With the benefit of a good rest followed by pre season he will be a big player for us next season.
As the saying goes plenty in the tank! What? Be seeing you.?.