Reo Hatate Celtic success story caveat as Stiliyan Petrov insists he will improve after overcoming 'language barrier'

Reo Hatate has already smoothly shown he can walk the walk at Celtic. Now Stiliyan Petrov believes that, once the Japanese can fluently talk the talk, he will explode onto new heights at Parkhead.

Petrov says he “loves” Hatate as a player having seen enough of his burgeoning talents already during an impressive five-month opening to his life in Glasgow. Arriving in January just turned 24, he, like Petrov back in 2000, had to get to grips with the various issues which surround a youngster settling into a new country and environment.

Petrov has been there. A young midfielder facing big expectations, it’s not easy to integrate straight away with a new language to learn and culture to understand. He knows what Hatate faced. He knows the frustrations he would feel at times and says the Asian ace will only get better as those limitations and restrictions ease. Asked to pick the hardest thing about adapting, Petrov smiled: “Everything!”

But as he dug down deeper into the matter, he continued: “He is miles away from family and friends and there is a language barrier. The language is a big thing. I know people say you have interpreters, but that is not going to help him all the time.

“When you are in a playing environment, players want to hear you speak. Even if you don’t speak the language they want to see you try and make the effort.

“That is why he has to understand the language and that is difficult. You listen and, when you are not involved in that and don’t understand those conversations, it is very very difficult.

“I would go home and I would not be able to discuss having something on my mind.

"Or if I was happy or unhappy, I couldn’t say it. This will be him.

“It takes time and I think the club is in a better place now