In a recent blog post, Reo Hatate, the Japanese midfield maestro, shared how a stern half-time pep talk from Celtic’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, spurred him on to help secure the championship title for Celtic at Tynecastle.
During a challenging first half against a tenacious Hearts team, Celtic, despite being the league frontrunners, struggled to make a breakthrough. The Bhoys needed a win to confirm their successive championship titles, and second-half strikes from Kyogo and Oh eventually sealed the deal.
Hatate, who was given his second start since recovering from an injury, confessed that Postecoglou’s frank words during the interval were the catalyst for his improved performance, which included an assist for Kyogo’s goal that initiated the title festivities in Gorgie.
Hatate reflected on Postecoglou’s half-time address writing for Sportiva: “When Ange appeared in the dressing room during the halftime match against Hearts, he said to me while using the video: ‘Reo hasn’t been able to play the role he wants in both offense and defence. He’s not working hard at all.'”
Hatate admitted that these words acted as a wake-up call, sparking a change in his mindset and approach. He said, “Hearing those words, I felt a switch flip in my own body and mind. The fact that Ange blasted me at halftime was also a source of motivation, and I was able to record an assist in that match.”
Hatate expressed his joy and relief at being able to contribute to the championship-clinching victory, especially since he had just returned from an injury.
Despite a 3-0 loss to the Rangers in round 35, Hatate believes that one of the key factors in Celtic’s back-to-back titles was their unbeaten record against their arch-rivals in the league this season when it mattered
He further added, “Also, as the league matches are fought throughout the year, winning the league is a proof of what the players have been doing and working on for the past year. For myself, I was able to contribute to the victory of the team throughout the year, and it gave me a lot of confidence.”
Reo has had a fantastic season for the hoops and can become a treble winner if they beat Inverness on Saturday. Hatate’s performances for Celtic have also earned him a summer Japan call-up for the Kirin Cup.
