REO HATATE has won the Premiership title in each of his four seasons at Celtic.
And the stylish Japanese midfielder insists he is hungry for more as he prepares for another crusade in the green and white hoops.
Hatate played his part in Brendan Rodgers’ side lifting their thirteenth crown in 14 years and he kept his nerve to slot away a crucial penalty-kick in the Premier Sports League Cup shoot-out triumph over Philippe Clement’s Ibrox outfit in December.
However, a petulant swipe at the ball and follow-through by Aberdeen’s Pape Gueye forced the influential middle-of-the-park operator to limp off near the end of the champions’ 5-1 league victory at Pittodrie on May 14.
DISTRAUGHT…Reo Hatate can’t disguise his disappointment after the injury at Pittodrie that kept him out of the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden 10 days later.
The jarred knee was enough to keep Hatate out of the Scottish Cup Final against the same opposition 10 days later where his mastery was sorely missed in an unexpected loss.
The classy performer admits he felt “like I let the team down” by missing the Hampden showpiece.
Thankfully, though, Hatate has fully recovered and is eager to show his best form in the new campaign.
The seven times-capped international, currently in Portugal with his Hoops team-mates, said: “I feel good.
“My fitness is getting better and we have had a lot of good coaching.
“There’s no frustration with my injury – I am just looking forward to the new season.
“The worst thing about being injured is I felt like I let the team down.
“There were games left to win trophies and I couldn’t do anything to help. That was the hard part for me.
“I wouldn’t say I was angry at the tackle. It’s all in the past, but I would hope something similar doesn’t happen in the future.
“I have been training very hard and my conditioning will improve.
“I am always looking to improve my game and that is my hope for the new season.
“I have won a lot of titles at Celtic, but you always want to win more. Whenever there is a chance to lift a trophy you need to go for it.
ROARING SUCCESS…Reo Hatate celebrates after sinking his penalty-kick in the Premier Sports League Cup Final shoot-out success over Ibrox opposition at Hampden in December.
Hatate, with three years to run on his contract, has been continually linked with a move away from Parkhead with Italian outfit Udinese and a number of other clubs reportedly interested in his future.
For the time being, though, the player insists he is happy in Scotland – despite the lack of consistent sunshine!
Hatate, speaking to the Scottish Sun, continued: “I am used to it now, so it’s not a problem and I enjoy my life in Scotland.
“It’s very busy with games and training so it’s not like I have a lot of time to go places and do tourist things during the season.
“But I like to go to restaurants or coffee shops, even just go for walks and enjoy the nice scenery and views.
“I have already warned our new player Hayato Inamura about the weather!
“I will try to help him as much as possible with settling in Scotland. When I arrived it was nice to have players such as Kyogo and Daizen here, so I’m sure it will be easier for him.”
SILVER SMILES…Reo Hatate with the newly-won League Cup.
Hatate has another very special reason for wanting to impress in the new season – he is determined to play for Japan in next summer’s World Cup Finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
His nation have already qualified for the soccer extravaganza and the midfield mastermind reckons this represents his last opportunity to perform in the global competition.
Hatate added: “I am going to work hard in every single training session and game because that is what it will take to get there.
“It is a big dream of mine, of course it is. The World Cup is very important. It’s difficult to say what it would mean to me to be part of it with Japan.
“But this could be my last chance. I will be 29 next year, so the next time I will be almost 33.
“I don’t know how I will be at that point. But I do know I will do everything I can to get there.
“My mindset will be that this is my last chance so I will give everything.”
