There was nothing lost in translation as Reo Hatate 's body language spoke louder than words over his role in Callum McGregor's red card.
A blind pass late in Celtic's win over Motherwell sold his skipper short and one professional foul later saw his team-mate red carded as he hauled down Ross Tierney for a last man offence. Shoulders sunk, a look of deep regret and the naughty schoolboy demeanour was on show as he admitted there was a post-match apology to his fellow midfielder and obvious regret
It's a measure of the standards being set by the ever-increasing influence the Japanese star holds in his team that one blot on his copybook spoiled a day where he'd just been confirmed as man of the match. What had he said to his colleague? “Sorry." And had his act of contrition been accepted as part of a learning curve which has been arriving thick and fast? He said: “You will have to ask him."
Hatate had been Celtic's pivotal performer as his side reclaimed a two point lead at the Premiership summit ahead of Rangers who'd beaten Hearts at Tynecastle a few hours earlier. One blistering shot struck the woodwork before he arrowed a second half winner which flew past Liam Kelly and brought relief to a side which had been stuttering their way to what was to prove a hard fought success.
The 24-year-old's dynamic display, a taker of responsibility both as a driving force and willing worker had earned the top marks but he insists that careless moment which saw McGregor walk had taken the shine off his day and highlighted another learning curve on a career with far steeper challenges ahead.
He said: “It was good to score but then I made a mistake so it was not good and it was not bad. I must learn from my mistake."
Hatate had already spoken of his frustrations after being left out of the first World Cup warm-up friendly for Japan as the Samurai Blue stepped up their preparations for Qatar 2022 with a 2-0 win over USA during the international break. The former Kawasaki Frontale man's focus had quickly changed to the domestic scene and his satisfaction with a win over Motherwell where he struck the decisive goal to find the net for the first time in this campaign.
He said: “For me it is about Celtic. I am happy with a goal and that we won the game."
Ange Postecoglou had spoken on Saturday of Hatate's relatively recent introduction of being only in his third season as a bona fide professional footballer having come out of the Japanese education system not so long ago.
Learning curves are coming thick and fast for the playmaker who will get another taste of Champions League group stage action in Germany against RB Leipzig Wednesday night after a baptism of fire introduction to European football's top table in a 3-0 loss to Real Madrid last month.
One Europa League appearance last season in a 3-1 home defeat to Bodo Glimt was his only other measure of the game at continental level and Hatate knows it's an education where he's learning fast.
Leipzig battered VFL Bochum in a 4-0 win weekend win former Chelsea striker Timo Werner and star man Christopher Nkunku helping themselves to clinical doubles as Marco Rose's side romped to three Bundesliga points and the Japanese dynamo insists it'll all come down to what Celtic do in the Red Bull Arena.
He said: “It all depends on us. We have to focus on each game and do our part.
“Each game will be very tough. It is important to have a good recovery and performance for the team.
“The biggest challenge is playing our football. We will try as always to play our football.”
The bargain fee of £1.4million to bring Hatate to Scotland from the Far East is a drop in the ocean to the ever-increasing valuation now being placed on a talent which will be being noted by clubs both down south and beyond. Those university years and a career path where he planned to become a PE teacher are now a far cry as he attempts to find his feet at Champions League level with Red Bull Leipzig, another huge step in his crash course season amongst European football's elite.
But Hatate is adamant he's loving the experience and being exposed to playing against the best is improving him as a player both on and off the park. He said: “100-per-cent I am enjoying the Champions League and I am learning how to prepare myself. I will learn a lot and I enjoy that experience.
“Each competition is important and makes you improve but I definitely can learn a lot by playing in the Champions League."
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