Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate appeared on Japanese soccer variety show Yabecchi Stadium this week. The Celtic midfielder is back in Japan after helping Celtic win the league title.
Japanese based journalist Dan Orlowitz was on hand on social media to translate Reo’s chat with the show that also entailed a video message from Celtic hero Kyogo.
During the interview, Reo talks about the Celtic fans and their influence, eating around Glasgow and how he started out at Frontale as a striker – something he’d be keen to revisit.
All translation from Dan Orlowitz via Twitter.
Asked what left a strong impression at Celtic: “The support… If you play well they applaud, but if you play poorly they boo. I’m thankful for it either way.”
On eating in Glasgow: “There’s a local Italian place that me and Daizen (Maeda) frequent, but the owner never charges us… we’ve been there dozens of times. Soup, salad, pasta, dessert, all of it.”
Kyogo recorded a message for his Celtic teammate:
Kyogo on Reo: “Everyone trusts him as a core part of the team; he’s reliable. I’m glad I can play together with such a reassuring teammate.
“He has a certain way of walking… everyone imitates it and that gets a laugh out of him.
“At first I didn’t know what kind of person he was, but he’s fun to talk to, fun to play with. He’s an adorable kohai (junior/younger teammate).
“I don’t know if he’s the nervous type but if you keep teasing him his (good) personality comes out.”
Reo’s reaction to Kyogo’s video: “We don’t really talk that much so when he talks about teasing me I’m a little surprised! I feel like maybe that’s a side of Kyogo I haven’t seen and I have to draw that out more.”
Later in the show his parents sent Reo a video message:
The Celtic star didn’t make the Japanese squad for the Kirin cup this summer and faces an uphill battle to make the Japanese squad for the World Cup later this year.
It was surprising to hear he and Kyogo don’t really talk much. Maybe the striker is the quiet type off the field.
Celtic fans are hoping all the Japanese bhoys help contribute to another successful campaign next season
All the players who’ve come in from Japan played a lot of minutes before getting to Celtic. A full pre-season after a long break will do them all the world of good.
