Reo Hatate says he wasn't at 100% in the Scottish Cup semi-final - but digging in followed by some words from the boss got him back to his Celtic best.
The Japanese midfielder was racing to be fit for the pressure cooker game against Rangers, which the Hoops eventually won 1-0 thanks to a Jota goal. It paves the way for them to potentially clinch a Treble this Saturday against Inverness Caley Thistle in the Scottish Cup final and while he did appear, Hatate admits he wasn't fully sharp for a meeting with his rivals after spending over a month out, lasting 66 minutes.
Angeball's high-intensity attacking qualities has been lauded, and the technician provided an insight into it's gritty characteristics that are key, with Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou getting him back to top shape for winning the league away at Hearts. Hatate wrote in his Sportiva blog: "It's a one-shot cup semi-final, and the opponent is the rival Rangers. I feel that the work I have shown so far on the pitch is a proof of trust in the fact that (Postecoglou) has nominated me as a starting pitcher after returning from injury.
