REO HATATE’S dream of playing for Japan in this summer’s World Cup Finals is over.
The 28-year-old Celtic midfielder has been overlooked by international head coach Hajime Moriyasu for his 25-man squad heading for USA.
However, team-mate Daizen Maeda, with seven goals in the champions’ last five outings, has been confirmed in the player pool for the Group F games against the Netherlands, Tunisia and Sweden, according to The Scotsman.
Former Hoops hitman Kyogo Furuhashi is also omitted after a difficult season at Birmingham City which ended prematurely in March when it was revealed he required surgery on his persistent shoulder injury.
THE EQUALISER…Reo Hatate scores against Jack Butland at the third attempt to earn a point for Celtic in the 2-2 draw at Ibrox in March.
But failing to realise his ambition will be a major blow for Hatate who hasn’t featured for his country since a goalless draw in the World Cup qualifying encounter against Saudi Arabia in March 2025.
The skilful playmaker, who was brought to Parkhead by Ange Postecoglou in January 2022 in a triple deal that included Meada and Yosuke Ideguchi, also missed out on the global extravaganza in Qatar four years ago.
The former Kawasaki Frontale star has struggled for form for most of a turbulent season and has started just 19 of Celtic’s 37 league games.
His last first-team start came seven games ago in the 2-0 loss to Dundee United at Tannadice on March 22.
Since then, he has amassed a total of 51 minutes playing time in three substitute appearances against St Mirren, Rangers and Motherwell.
In recent games, Martin O’Neill has preferred a midfield three of skipper Callum McGregor, 21-goal Benjamin Nygren and £11million Arne Engels and it appears the best Hatate can hope for in the title decider against Hearts tomorrow is a place among the stand-by squad.
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