It's clear by now Ange Postecoglou is a great believer in the old saying that what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.
Towards the end of last term it looked like playing back-to-back campaigns in Japan in Scotland was going to end poor Reo Hatate. The midfielder arrived with a bang in January and became an instant hero with his Old Firm double that sent Celtic on their way to the title. But a few months later and the 24-year-old seemed to be running on fumes and he even admitted himself he was feeling a tad clapped out.
It was understandable. Hatate played a full season with Kawasaki Frontale and then had to jump straight in to a title race in Scotland. The attacker also had to deal with moving from the other side of the world and getting used to his new surroundings.Little wonder he needed a bit of a lie down but it’s amazing what a short break can do. Hatate has returned for pre-season like a man on a mission. He’s back to the January impact and his show-stealing performances against Legia Warsaw and Norwich City have got fans frenzied about the prospect of what’s to come.
