Reo Hatate has revealed his career has been driven by fulfilling a wish he would play in the Champions League.
The Japanese midfielder is a likely starter for Ange Postecoglou's side as they prepare to take on holders Real Madrid on Tuesday. It's set to be a huge moment in the 24-year-old's career following his January move to Glasgow from J-League side Kawasaki Frontale.
Hatate joined Frontale after graduating from university in 2018 and revealed one of the club's bosses quickly tipped him to become their first player to go on and play in the Champions League. The Celtic star insists those words have stuck with him throughout his career. He told Sportiva: “After graduating from Juntendo University, I decided to play for Kawasaki Frontale. When we were talking about the future, Director Kawaguchi suddenly said 'I want Reo to become a player who will participate in the UEFA Champions League in the future.'
"To be honest, I didn't quite get it when I was in college. He was so fictional that I even thought 'what the hell is this guy talking about?'
"To this day, there are many players who have gone on to become professionals after joining the soccer club of Shizuoka Gakuen High School. Some of them, like Ryota (Oshima), a senior from Kawasaki Frontale, have been selected to represent Japan.
"On the other hand, there was no player who moved to a European club and stood on the Champions League pitch. Speaking of Champions League, it is a tournament where famous players from all over the world gather.
"Kawaguchi may have wanted his students to stand on the pitch, which is said to be the world's greatest tournament. However, I didn't even start my career as a professional soccer player just because I was told by Director Kawaguchi, let alone an overseas challenge at that time.
"However, ever since I took my first step as a professional at Kawasaki Frontale in 2020, I have been reminded of Kawaguchi's "one word" every time. It was as if those words had been burned into my mind, and before I knew it, I began to think from the bottom of my heart, 'I want to appear in the Champions League.'"
