Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate has batted away concerns that he has travelled a whopping 17,608 miles within the last month for international duty - without kicking a ball for Japan.
Hatate was an unused substitute during SamuraI Blues' World Cup qualifying win over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah as they ran out 2-0 winners and he will hope to finally make an appearance for his country when they play Australia on Tuesday. Should he be snubbed again, by the time he returns to Glasgow the 26-year-old will have flown over 5000 miles longer than the distance of football without being handed a minute of action by boss Hajime Moriyasu.
With the top of the Scottish Premiership clash with Aberdeen just around the corner, there have been concerns raised over the enormous distance that Hatate has covered without any action. But while watching the likes of Daizen Maeda from the sidelines, Hatate insists he is not frustrated by the actions of the international gaffer.
Speaking to the Japanese media at training before the clash with the Socceroos, the Celtic star said: "Being selected means that I'm being evaluated. First of all, I want to do my best for the team."
With Japan in need of cover down the left and right side of defence, Hatate also offered himself to Moriyasu adding: "The way I move changes depending on the player I'm playing with. I think I can see the cooperation with the others where I am needed."
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