Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Celtic v St Johnstone - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - December 24, 2022 Celtic's Reo Hatate celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
Reo Hatate appears to be closing in on full fitness ahead of Japan’s Asian Cup opener against Thailand on Sunday.
The midfielder has only played 20 minutes of football since his Champions League campaign came to a halt seven minutes into the home match against Atletico Madrid on October 25.
Coming on for Paulo Bernardo away to St Mirren last Tuesday was an important step but just the first one as Hatate looks to restore match fitness and the sort of form that he showed in the first few months of 2023 before injuries set in.
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???Hatate’s post-practice comments https://t.co/LmcyDd7xcS pic.twitter.com/QoBnAYI56y— ???Nar??Japanese Bhoy Studios? (@CelticStudio_JP) January 9, 2024
It was a bit of a surprise to Celtic supporters when Hatate was named in the Japan squad for the Asian Cup, manager Hajime Moriyasu clearly rates the Celtic midfielder much higher than team-mate Kyogo Furuhashi.
After missing out on the 2022 World Cup a return to Qatar this month is a big boost for Hatate as he looks to establish himself internationally with Brendan Rodgers hoping that the midfielder returns in top form to impact Celtic’s SPFL title hopes.
Knowing our luck, we’ve just released a fit hatate, here’s hoping we don’t get him back carrying an injury.
Am I alone in being very wary of this Hajime Moriyasu character? He sounds like he doesn’t know his @r$e from a hole in the ground if he reckons Kyogo Furuhashi isn’t worth a place in his squad – Lawwell and co could well have him on a shortlist to take over if BRodge gets p1$$ed off with their nonsense and legs it…..
The only bonus is that he might get match fit from this tournament…
Hopefully three games and his country are out and he’s back for a critical business end to the season –
The Japanese manager doesn’t give a continental fcuk about Celtic any more than I give a continental fcuk about Japan !