I played best football of my career last year, says Celtic star Reo Hatate, but Brazil hero's words will never leave me

Scottish Sun

6 hours ago

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REO HATATE believes he played the best football of his Celtic career last season.
But he name-checked Brazilian icon Zico when admitting that silverware was all that mattered.
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Reo Hatate and Kasper Schmeichel
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
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Reo Hatate sustained an injury late in the season
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
Hatate, 27, was a mainstay as Brendan Rodgers' side retained the Premiership and won the Premier Sports Cup.
The injured Japanese playmaker's guile was sorely missed as the Hoops lost the Scottish Cup final to Aberdeen.
Hatate was proud to play a key role domestically and in the Champions League — but knows lifting trophies and racking up medals is all that counts.
He revealed a Zico anecdote from Japan legend Atsuto Uchida has always stuck in his mind.
And talented Hatate admits he will never forget his fourth Premiership triumph with Celts after a brilliant individual campaign.
He said: 'The moment we won the title, I felt a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment unlike anything I had ever felt before.
'In the previous season, I was injured repeatedly and played only 16 league games. This year, I was able to play in many more and contribute.
'I could also feel my growth as a player, defensively and in attack.
'I feel I have performed better than ever last season since joining Celtic. That is why I felt like I did when we won the league.
'However, I also remember some golden words from Zico that former player Atsuto Uchida once said.
Celtic have clinched the Premiership title - now Hatate could leave with SIX players coming in
They were, 'When you retire as a player, all that remains is the number of titles you have won'.
'Hearing that, I'm proud to have added another league title to my career this season.
'Winning cups and leagues is a cumulative effort. We play in a team and environment that allows us to aim for the title and we achieved it.
'But after a while, people forget how well a player performed in that season and what kind of level they showed.
'Numbers of goals and assists are there, but the record of winning a title will remain forever.'
Hatate worked hard on his fitness last summer following an injury-plagued 2023/24 campaign.
He was an ever-present in the league, until being crocked by Aberdeen striker Pape Gueye ten days before the Cup final, where Celtic's bid for a ninth domestic Treble failed.
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Reo Hatate celebrates his goal
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
Yet he also believes his all-round game improved over the course of the season as he showed his versatility for Rodgers — depending on the opponent.
Hatate added: 'I feel like my experience in the Champions League has helped me grow.
'When playing against stronger teams, I've had many opportunities to play side-by-side with the captain Callum McGregor, our main defensive midfielder.
'By doing that, I began to observe the opponent's positioning more.
'With high pressing becoming mainstream worldwide, when we build up from a low position, the player with the ball is generally free.
'Someone will come to press that free player. At that time, I have become aware of who is coming to press and where there is an opening.
'As a result, I was able to see who was where and how they would move to see where the space would open up.
'This was not only true for deep positions, but also for higher positions in the opponent's half, which broadened my field of vision and options.
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Brazilian football legend Zico worked in Japan for years
Credit: AFP
'During the attacking process, I can play as a No 6 but in front of goal I can play as a No 10.
'I feel I am able to judge when I should shoot or pass better than before, and this resulted in more goals and assists.
'I have also become more aware of when players are coming to press and where openings can be.'
Hatate claimed 11 goals and nine assists in 55 games last season, and was one of boss Rodgers' top peformers.
He revealed a chat with international team-mate Kaoru Mitoma was key in helping the attacking side of his game.
The pair are close pals, and the Brighton attacker shared some wisdom with Hatate to help the Hoops star.
He said: 'Against Kilmarnock at the end of the season, Cameron Carter- Vickers played a pass to me, and I was able to find Anthony Ralston almost without looking.
'This is because I was aware of the pressing and positioning of the opponents — and we scored from that pass.
'You can create space for your team-mates by dragging defenders to you when you have the ball.
'My assist for Daizen Maeda's goal before half-time against St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup semi-final was also satisfying on this front.
'I picked up the ball, dribbled past one player, advanced to the goal, went past two more defenders and sent a pass to Daizen.
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Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton & Hove Albion is a big pal of Hatate's
Credit: Alamy
'His finish was impressive as he scored the goal but my run, which attracted multiple opponents, was inspired by a conversation I'd had with Kaoru.
'I remember speaking to him about this on the team coach after Japan played Saudi Arabia.
'He told me, 'If one player on the ball can attract the opponent, space will be created somewhere and things will open up'.
'I strongly agreed and understood what he was talking about. When I returned to Celtic, I always kept those words in mind.
'We have a lot of possession of the ball in Scotland, and we are able to attract defenders through one and two-touch moves.
'We have very good dribblers on the wings, and they have more opportunities to do that than I do.
'But if I can play centrally and make those passes, it helps the team and it becomes a feature of my game
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