Celtic’s Reo Hatate reveals what one Rangers fan did to him the day after his iconic 2022 Glasgow Derby display

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Reo Hatate has shared an encounter with a Rangers fan the day after the Celtic midfielder’s superb performance in the February 2022 Glasgow Derby.

The Celtic fans will remember this game well. It was the first time in years a Glasgow Derby was given a midweek nighttime billing and the atmosphere generated in that game was simply sensational.

Hatate gave a performance that was deserving of that atmosphere as he battered Rangers with two goals and an assist in a win that took Celtic to the top of the league.

In an interview back in Japan, Hatate relived that match and recalled an encounter with a Rangers fan the day after the game.

The minute Hatate knew was ‘playing in Europe’

The Glasgow Derby rivalry is unique to Scotland. There is nothing quite like the atmosphere when Rangers come visiting and there is no better feeling than winning the game and ruining the rest of the week for our rival fans.

Because that is exactly what Hatate did when he shared what one Rangers fan did after a chance encounter.

Hatate said [Ryohie Hayashi’s Football Seminar], “When I stayed at the hotel the night before my first derby, I think Rangers fans set off fireworks outside the hotel probably to keep us from sleeping.

“Then, I scored in the game against Rangers the next day.

“The following day, I went out and a Rangers fan saw me driving and gave me the finger.

“That’s when I realised I was playing in Europe!”

Reo Hatate’s superb Celtic record vs Rangers

The Japanese midfielder has a superb record against our Glasgow rivals. Ever since joining Celtic in December 2021, Hatate has faced Rangers a grand total of 12 times.

Out of those fixtures, the 26-year-old has been on the winning side seven times, drew three and lost just two.

Hatate’s only goals against Rangers was in that February game but he did record another assist against them when he teed up Kyogo Furuhashi for Celtic’s winner in the 2023 League Cup final in Ange Postecoglou’s treble-winning season.

So it’s little wonder the Rangers fans curl up whenever he is in the Celtic team because Hatate always seems to churn out big moments against the Ibrox club.