Reo Hatate admits Celtic stardom has been beyond his wildest dreams as he reveals past PE teacher backup plan

Celtic star Reo Hatate admits a career as a PE teacher can wait as he bids to graduate with honours at Parkhead.

The Japanese midfielder has been an instant hit with the Hoops support since arriving in Glasgow in December with two goals in the last derby meeting against Rangers earning instant adulation.

It’s been a Scottish Premiership baptism of fire for the 24-year-old, who believes his days as a student in the Far East provided perfect preparation for life as a professional footballer.

He said: “At university, I was studying at the faculty of sports and health science. It was all about the science of the human body and nutrition. But I also got a licence to be a PE teacher.

“For four years I had to study as well as training hard to try and become a professional footballer.

“It wasn’t easy for me at that time because I had to have a lot of discipline but it was a great experience.

“I had dreamed about becoming a football player before going to university.

“But I started to have a clear vision of exactly what I wanted to do and which team I wanted to play for.”

J-League title success two seasons ago with Kawasaki Frontale was followed by playing at the 2020 Olympics with his national side before landing a move to Celtic and a senior call-up for Japan against Vietnam in a World Cup qualifier.

The all-action star has already ticked off most of his ambitions. He said: “I couldn’t have imagined I’d achieve this. I didn’t think I’d play at such a high level, for Celtic and for the national team.”