Celtic’s derby day hero, Reo Hatate, has opened up on his experience of his first Glasgow derby after picking up man of the match in the Hoops 3-0 win.

The 24-year old scored the Celts opening two goals of the match before setting up the third for Liel Abada in an emphatic first-half performance from Ange Postecoglou’s side.

Speaking to the press after the match, Hatate was blown away by the Celtic support, admitting he had never experienced such an atmosphere and was delighted to contribute to the overall team performance on the night.

“In my professional career, I’ve never played in front of this kind of huge crowd, and it feels so good,” he said, as quoted by Sun Sport.

“I feel good that I was able to contribute to that victory.

“It was difficult to communicate because of so much noise, so this is why I would look carefully at my teammates to try and read their movements, what they were doing and thinking, and it was the same for them.

“This was the only way we could do it, and it was very important in that situation.

“Before the game, I didn’t imagine I’d score goals like that.

“For us to score three as a team was incredible, but what we did was because of how hard we train, because of all the effort we put in as a team.

“I felt the passion of the supporters; it was higher than any other game I’ve played.

“This was more than just an Old Firm, it was a game for first or second place, so it meant even more to everyone.”

The Japanese midfielder hasn’t half made a brilliant start to life in Glasgow, adding his second and third goals in Green and White on Wednesday night.

After the game, both Ange and Hatate both mentioned that he isn’t even at his peak fitness level as of yet. So that is a potential frightening thought for the rest of the league and an exciting one for the Celtic support.

Hopefully, Wednesdays nights goals were the first of many which Hatate can play his part in the Glasgow derby.

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