Reo Hatate vows to focus on Celtic as he downplays concern over World Cup qualifiers in Japan

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Reo Hatate wants to do some magic at Celtic as he moves around the Harry Potter film sets.

The Japanese star is relishing the opportunity to write new chapters in the storybook of his football career at Parkhead.

As well as the games, Hatate hopes to get out and get a taste of Scottish culture.

And top of the list goes to places where scenes from the Potter films were filmed – the Jacobite Steam Train, or Hogwarts Express, which runs between Fort William and Mallaig, Loch Shiel and Rannoch Moor.

Hatate said: “I’ve heard that in Scotland there are places and areas where the Harry Potter films were filmed. I would like to visit these places. I know about the train and the bridge.

“I’ve seen all the Harry Potter movies and I love them. It would be nice to see those things.

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When asked if he might soon feature in a Celtic DVD on the shelves next to the Potter series, he laughed and replied, “Yeah, that would be nice!”

But above all, it’s about producing sorcery for Celtic. Hatate arrived on a high, having won a second consecutive championship title in his native country with Kawasaki Frontale.

The next step is to try and win one with Celtic, but the midfielder only has an initial goal of settling down.

Hatate said: “Since I started playing professional football, I have won three titles.

“I just need to work hard. I don’t know how the results will go, but I just want to make sure I’m contributing 100 per cent and that’s all I’m thinking about at this stage.

“I knew Celtic before coming here. I was aware that it is a historic club and an important club.

Given his previous records, Hatate seems destined for success. His father was a professional baseball player, but he had no idea how to pick up a bat.

He said: “I loved football too much to think about doing anything else and that was it. It was always going to be my sport.

Hatate insists he is ready for the challenges of the Scottish game and adds: “Let’s see what happens. I have to come into the team and play first and then try to do my best.

“Then we can see how it goes for me and how it goes with football.”




Of course, Hatate and compatriots Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi don’t have to look far for inspiration ahead of their Celtic debut.

Sitting next to them in the locker room is Kyogo Furuhashi, who has made a stunning impact since his own departure from the J-League last summer.

The striker made headlines in Scotland and also in his homeland with footage of his success in the Premier Sports Cup final, even shown on small TV screens on trains for commuters to the work the next day.

Naturally, the trio will seek advice, but Hatate said: “I was aware of that and appreciated what was going on with him.

“But for me it was something that involved another player. I’m me and I have to try to focus on what I can do when I’m here.

“What I want to do is keep doing what I’ve been doing for the past few years so that I can perform well and bring results to the team.”

Furuhashi may of course have to leave Celtic to join his national team for the World Cup qualifiers against China and Saudi Arabia at the end of this month.

Hatate and Maeda could also get the nod from national boss Hajime Moriyasu, but the newcomer doesn’t see a quick return to Asia at the moment and he said: “I came here to play for Celtic.

“So that’s all I’m thinking about right now and I’m giving 100 per cent to play with my teammates. I’m just focusing on my next game. That’s all.”

For now, Hatate just wants to impress Ange Postecoglou. The Aussie spoke enthusiastically about him after his signing and the player is excited to build relationships.

He said: “I didn’t have a personal relationship with him before because I was just playing at another club against his teams.

“But I look forward to working with him and building a strong relationship.”

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