“Munich was a close margin, but if you look at the result, we lost,” Reo Hatate

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·21 de março de 2025

“Munich was a close margin, but if you look at the result, we lost,” Reo Hatate

Reo Hatate has shared his insights on playing in the Champions League with Celtic and reflected on the disappointments he’s faced with Japan…

Reo Hatate (R) Daizen Maeda (front) celebrates with his teammates after Japan secured their place at the 2026 World Cup Finals.

Hatate an unused sub as Japan qualified for World Cup Finals

The Celtic midfielder is currently representing his country on international duty and the Samurai Blue’s confirmed their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 after their 2-0 victory over Bahrain yesterday morning. Both Hatate and Daizen Maeda were unused substitutes as Hajime Moriyasu’s side booked a spot at next summer’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and USA.

Vídeos OneFootball

Meanwhile, Hatate scored in Sunday’s Glasgow Derby, calmly finishing from inside the box to equalise for the Hoops, although they ultimately went on to lose the match courtesy of a late Hamza Igamane winner.

Reo Hatate of Celtic celebrates scoring to tie the game 2-2 with Adam Idah of Celtic. Celtic v theRangers, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 16 March 2025 Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

However, his most significant learning experiences this season have come from the UEFA Champions League rather than domestic football.

Reo Hatate reflects on Celtic’s Champions League campaign

Speaking to Japanese outlet Gekisaka (translation available), Reo Hatate said: “We’ve played against teams that we can hold the ball and teams that clearly can’t hold the ball, so when we can’t hold the ball, we have to do things like not slacking off in defence and things like that are things that you have to do as a matter of course when you go there.

“So, I think that the basic aspects of that are improving. I’ve played all the Champions League games this season, and I feel like I’m doing a great job there.

“Small differences can produce big results, and I felt that again”

“It [Munich] was a close margin, but if you look at the result, we lost. I’ve experienced many times that when playing against top-level opponents, small differences can produce big results, and I felt that again.

Reo Hatate with the Premier Sports Cup after Celtic’s victory over theRangers on 15 December 2024 at Hampden Park. Photo Kenny Ramsay

“However, I feel that there are many areas where I’m doing well, so I hope I can incorporate that into my national team.”

Hatate has travelled back to Asia with his Celtic teammate, Maeda. The forward has played crucial role for his national team, earning 22 caps, whereas Hatate has represented Japan 10 times.

“I know I’m on the edge of being able to play”

Reo Hatate of Celtic is tackled by John McGinn of Aston Villa during the UEFA Champions League match between Aston Villa FC and Celtic FC at Villa Park on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Hatate added: “Personally, I know I’m on the edge of being able to play. Unlike other players, I’ve had a lot of disappointments since coming here [to the national team], so I just do what I have to do. There’s nothing I can do about things I can’t do, so I just want to do what I can. If I get a chance, I hope I can play well.”

Conor Spence

Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style. Available at celticstarbooks.com