Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate has admitted how surprised he was to be included in Japan’s squad for the upcoming Asian Cup. Amid a long-term hamstring injury, the former Kawasaki Frontale man didn’t think he would be picked by Hajime Moriyasu.

He was, however, and after missing out on the squad for the 2022 World Cup, Hatate was delighted to be picked for the latest tournament: “Honestly, I thought it was going to be very difficult for me to make the squad because I have not started a game for Celtic for a long time”, he said (Glasgow Times).

Reo Hatate

“So to be included in a major tournament for the first time as a Japan player is a dream come true.

“I am desperate to do my best for the team.”

Japan kick off their Asian Cup campaign this Sunday against Vietnam. Hatate will be eager to build upon his five caps in Qatar and look to bring home the bacon for his country.

The Samurai Blue are fully expected to make it out of their group and progress to the latter stages of the tournament. Japan are one of the favourites for the trophy and should they taste victory in Asia, it would be the fifth major honour in their existence.

Hatate, and his Celtic teammate Daizen Maeda, will have ambitions to contribute towards the making of history for their country’s national team but when they return to Glasgow for the second half of the season, full focus goes towards securing the title for the Hoops.

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