The Celtic star says he didn’t need to research a club; Nakamura influence

Celtic’s new star Reo Hatate didn’t have to do much research on the club, due to his size and the influence of Shunsuke Nakamura, the midfielder has claimed.

As we covered yesterday, Hatate was quizzed by Celtic supporters on a range of different issues. Later in the Q+A, he described Celtic’s size at international level and made reference to former midfield icon Shunsuke Nakamura.

Nakamura was of course a Celtic superstar in the 2000s. His public profile in Japan helped Celtic gain a string of new supporters. The influence of Ange Postecoglou, as well as Kyogo Furuhashi this season, has rekindled that spark between Japan and Celtic Football Club.

As such, Hatate didn’t need much convincing or prior research before committing to Celtic. He said on Celtic’s official Twitter page [Celtic FC]“I didn’t have to do a lot of research on the club.

“I knew the club since I was a child because Shunsuke Nakamura used to play here and Celtic are a big club in the world.

Hatate also answered questions about Duran Duran and eels, but it is his response here that is most significant. Hatate, who shone against Hibernian on Monday night, will have the chance to do so again as the Premiership put on some huge fixtures. Dundee United, Hearts and Rangers are all waiting, although we may see that later today against Alloa Athletic.

Replies from Celtic stars like Jota, Reo Hatate et al are a reminder of just how massive this club is; Nakamura also helped

Maybe we don’t fully realize how important Celtic are. It was funny when Jota revealed he had a Celtic scarf from a Benfica game [Record], but there is consistency in the comments of new recruits.

And it also sounds serious. Although Celtic supporters are more than used to the importance of the club on a more local level, the international reach is significant.

When you see Western Australian Celtic supporters doing tonto on a boat, for example. Or Kyogo appearing in a Celtic jersey on the Tokyo subway. These things are a reminder of how big this football club is. So, in a sense, we shouldn’t really be surprised.

It does, however, show the impact some Celtic players can have. Because of Shunsuke Nakamura and his fame in Japan, a generation of football fans in the Far East would have harbored ambitions to play for Celtic just like him.

In terms of Hatate, the guy presents himself very well. He’s smart, lovable and loves some interesting activities outside of football, as his Q&A showed.

But that might have been his most meaningful response. Even thousands and thousands of miles away, footballers want to play for Celtic Football Club.

Read more: Celtic fans show relief at Cameron Carter-Vickers USA decision