REO HATATE has revealed he apologised to Callum McGregor for the wayward pass that saw the Celtic onfield leader banished near the end of the 2-1 win over Motherwell at Parkhead.
The Japanese midfielder, who had netted a memorable right-foot drive from outside the box for the eventual points-clincher, wasn’t quite so accurate with a blind pass that left his captain in trouble.
McGregor brought down Ross Tierney and referee John Beaton wasted no time in brandishing the red card at the Scotland international anchorman.
Stephen Welsh was coming across to cover, but the match official saw it as a last-man offence and unhesitatingly dismissed the Celt.
HAPPY DAZE…Reo Hatate celebrates his winner against Motherwell with skipper Callum McGregor about to join in. Things changed near the end of the game.
SEEING RED…Callum McGregor is sent off by referee John Beaton as Stephen Welsh and Joe Hart react to their skipper’s dismissal.
Hatate, celebrating some half-an-hour earlier following his winning strike, looked distraught as McGregor made his way off the pitch.
The 24-year-old middle-of-the-park operator, who arrived at the Hoops in Hogmanay along with Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi as part of Ange Postecoglou’s triple swoop on the J-League, admitted he had sought out his skipper to say “sorry”.
Asked if McGregor had accepted his profuse apology, Hatate replied: “You will have to ask him.”
Discussing the incident, the influential midfielder continued: “It was good to score, but then I made a mistake, so it was not good and it was not bad. I must learn from my mistake.
“For me, it is about Celtic. I am happy with a goal and that we won the game.”
REO GRAND…Hatate forces a mistake from Shakhtar Donetsk defender Artem Bondarenko to claim Celtic’s goal in Poland.
The former Kawasaki Frontale star is now concentrating on Wednesday’s Champions League group game against RB Leipzig in Germany after playing in the 3-0 home loss against Real Madrid and the 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk in Poland.
Hatate’s only previous experience in playing a European competition was in the 3-1 loss to Bodo/Glimt in Glasgow in February and is hoping for his first tase of success against the Bundesliga club who thumped VfL Bochum 4-0 at the weekend with former Chelsea hitman Tino Warner collecting a double.
Getting ready for the 5.45pm start at the Red Bull Arena, the Hoops fans’ favourite, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “It all depends on us. We have to focus on each game and do our part.
IN WITH A SHOUT…Reo Hatate celebrates the goal against Shakhtar Donetsk.
“Each game will be very tough. It is important to have a good recovery and performance for the team.
“The biggest challenge is playing our football. We will try as always to play our football.
“One hundred per cent I am enjoying the Champions League and I am learning how to prepare myself. I will learn a lot and I enjoy that experience.
“Each competition is important and makes you improve, but I definitely can learn a lot by playing in the Champions League.”
