‘I couldn’t run’ – Celtic hero Reo Hatate opens up on hidden childhood illness

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Celtic hero Reo Hatate has opened up on a childhood illness that left him unable to run.

The Japan midfielder has been in great form for Celtic this season and Hatate is on course to win another treble.

With 142 appearances for Celtic, Hatate has been instrumental in the club’s successes over the last three seasons.

Hatate has played for just two clubs in his professional career but it seems that before he embarked on a football career, a childhood illness used to leave him feeling floored.

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Celtic star Reo Hatate shares illness that made him ‘out of breath quickly’

Hatate was speaking in his homeland in a column he writes for a national media outlet when he revealed an illness that made it difficult for him to run.

Hatate told Sportiva, “When I was in junior high school, I suffered from sports anaemia. I would get out of breath quickly even when I ran, and there was a period when I couldn’t run even if I wanted to. Therefore, I had a blood test once a month to check my blood levels.

“My mother studied food diligently, and prepared meals for me, thinking about what I should eat and what foods I should take.

“I don’t think my parents thought it was a bother, but even as a child I thought, ‘I’m grateful’, and ‘I’m bothering you’.

“Even in these situations, I felt the strength of my mother, who never compromised.”

It appears that Hatate has made a full recovery as the Japan international is one of the fittest players at Celtic.

Reo Hatate’s sterling Celtic career

Hatate arrived at Celtic under Ange Postecoglou and became an almost immediate success at the club.

His goals against Rangers in the 2022 February Glasgow Derby are iconic as Hatate became an instant fan favourite.

Here is how he has fared over his last three years at Celtic:

Contracted to 2028 and entering the peak of his career, Celtic fans have a lot to look forward to with Hatate over the next three years.