Former Celtic captain Paul Lambert has praised Reo Hatate for his impressive rise over a year on from his arrival at Parkhead, as he challenged the midfielder to continue improving.
The 25-year-old is now seen as an established member of Ange Postecoglou’s squad, helping the Bhoys win the Scottish Premiership last campaign.
However, it is easy to forget that the Japanese midfielder is only in his sixth year of playing football, having come through the University system in his homeland.
After an impressive few years with Kawasaki Frontale, which ended with Hatate lifting the J-League, the midfielder made the move to Europe.
And since arriving in the January of 2022, Hatate has excelled and become a key member of Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side, who are continuing to push for more trophy success.
This campaign also handed Hatate and many of his Hoops teammates their first experience playing UEFA Champions League group-stage football, marking off another incredible landmark for the Japanese international.
His fast rise in recent years has left former Celtic captain Paul Lambert impressed as he praised the midfielder in a recent interview.
The Champions League winner believes that Hatate has plenty of qualities that he can continue to develop, and working alongside the likes of Postecoglou and Callum McGregor will only help.
The 53-year-old also believes that Hatate can become more streetwise in the way he plays. However, stated he is on the right path to becoming an even better player.
He said [The Celtic Way]: “As I say, I cannot fault Hatate for the way he has come into the Celtic team and made an impression; he’s made his presence felt. He plays with great enthusiasm, and it will surprise you, but a lot of players do not have that natural enthusiasm for the game. You cannot take that away from him.
“He has a bit of the street footballer about him, the way he pings passes and the five-a-side-like goal he scored against Motherwell at Fir Park where he dragged the ball from one foot to the other.
“These are all street footballer moves, but the trick here is to become more streetwise on the park and play more intelligently with your brain. That is what separates the truly great players from the good ones.”
Lambert continued: “You have to remember that he has come from a totally different footballing culture and embraced Celtic and Scottish football.
“Hatate has had a quantum leap in terms of his career as he has gone from playing university football to J1 League football to Scottish Premiership football and then Champions League level in three years.
“That is a massive jump so he can be proud of where he is and what he has achieved. He is clearly enjoying it, so the next logical step is to make a real dent in the Champions League.
“The likes of Callum McGregor can lend a helping hand and bring Hatate’s game on n that regard. It is all part of his learning process.
“As he gets older, he will get wiser, and he has a great manager in the shape of Postecoglou to guide him on the path. He is also playing his club football in a great place.
“The challenge is to keep peaking and progressing and show everybody that both he and Celtic belong at Champions League level.”
Reo Hatate on the path to becoming an even better player under Ange Postecoglou.
It has been just over 12 months since Hatate’s arrival in Glasgow, and it has been quite the year for the midfield, who quickly became a fans favourite.
Ever since his first appearance, as he put in a man-of-the-match display against Hibernian, Hatate has continued to leave the Celtic support impressed.
Of course, as Lambert mentions, there are aspects of his game which could do with some work. However, that is understandable, given he is still technically in quite an early stage of his career.
It will only help him, playing under a brilliant manager in Ange Postecoglou, who already has a proven track record in helping players improve drastically.
He is well on track to becoming an even better player, and you would imagine he is eyeing up another shot at the UEFA Champions League group stages next season in an attempt to make a dent in Europe.
In other news, SPFL boss reveals he seeks helpful advice from Celtic coach Harry Kewell.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
