Five years ago Ange Postecoglou watched two Japanese kids emerge at Kawasaki Frontale – and knew they were destined for the top.
One of them was Kaoru Mitoma. Now at Brighton, the winger is ripping up the Premier League. With interest from Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City and Real Madrid, the Seagulls wouldn’t part with him for anything less than £40million. Incredibly, the Celtic boss has revealed he tried to bring Mitoma to Glasgow when he arrived at Parkhead as gaffer. He was convinced he’d do a job for Hoops but was left frustrated as Brighton closed in on the Japan international.
The other 20-year-old to catch Postecoglou’s eye in 2018 was Reo Hatate. Thankfully for the Celtic fans, he was snared by their Aussie boss. And Hatate has made such an impact in Scotland that he’s hotly tipped to be this season’s Player of the Year. Just like with Mitoma, Postecoglou knew the midfielder had what it took to play at the highest level.
And nothing he’s done at Parkhead so far has changed his mind. But why did Hatate fly under the radar in Japan before the Celtic gaffer got his man?
He said: “It actually wasn’t that long because Reo got into professional football late after being at university. He didn’t make his debut in Japan until he was 21.
“He only had a few years over there before Celtic. But I’d watched him and he broke in at the same time as Mitoma at Kawasaki Frontale.
“They were outstanding from the first moment they started playing. I knew Reo was going to be a very good footballer – with the potential to reach the very top.
“And he’s been excellent for us. He’s only been here just over a year and has already made great strides. But he’s still got so far to go in the game. He’s going to be a top player and that’s what he’s working hard at every day. Thankfully, right now he’s doing it for our club. I did try to get Mitoma but it was already almost done for him to go to Brighton.
“In fact, he and Kyogo Furuhashi were the first two players I tried to bring across here to Celtic. Mitoma would have been a great signing but, unfortunately for us, Brighton also have a good scouting network.
“They managed to pick him up but there was never any doubt in my mind that he was going to be a top player. He’s done well in the Premier League, which hasn’t surprised me at all.”
Hatate might not make Sunday's trip to Dingwall to face Ross County but he’ll be back for the Old Firm derby on Saturday. One man who might take his place in the Highlands is David Turnbull, who has managed just 10 starts for Celtic this season.
He was left out of Scotland’s recent squad due to a lack of game time and the 23-year-old will only have a year left on his Parkhead deal this summer. Postecoglou has challenged the midfielder to grasp any chance he gets – and determine his own future at the club.
He said: “David has to do the same as everyone else – train hard and take his opportunity when it comes. He played in our last game against Hibs and did quite well. We’ve now got injuries in the midfield area so he’ll definitely get game time again. It’s up to Dave but I don’t feel the need to speak to him.
“I don’t speak to any of them unless they have issues. They all know what’s in front of them. They have to take their chance and the lads have been really good on that front. The players have their futures in their own hands.”
Postecoglou has more pressing matters, like trying to secure his second successive title as Celtic boss. With a healthy lead at the top of the Premiership, his side must now get over the finishing line without any hiccups.
The manager expects drama in every game between now and the end of May. But he’s convinced his players can get the job done. Ahead of today’s clash with Malky
Mackay’s side, he said: “We had a really strong middle part of the season after the World Cup and before the break. We wanted to lay a strong foundation to go and finish the season, which we did.
“Our results were outstanding and the performances just as good. We scored a lot of goals and the boys are ready to finish strong now.
“If we can perform in the last part as well as we did in the middle part, we’ll be in a good place. That starts against County. It’s always a challenge going up to Dingwall because Malky has his players so well prepared.
“It’s always a physical game but we’ll be ready for it. Every game will have an edge to it now because all the teams are playing for something.
“I’m sure each game we play home or away will have a little bit of desperation about it. But we’ve been gearing ourselves up for a big finish.”
