Celtic’s Japanese Bhoys just need to keep working hard and the rewards will come.

One of the reasons we love football is also what makes it incredibly frustrating, particularly for those who play the game. Football is about the rise and fall. We revel in seeing one of our own players rise and a rival fall. But it’s never easy watching one of your own go through a difficult time. Right now, at Celtic Park, we’re witnessing a curious situation unfold.

Reo Hatate, one of our brightest stars, is experiencing a crisis of confidence.

This stems from the fact that the manager of his national team doesn’t seem to rate him. Despite this lack of recognition, Hatate continues to perform well for us. His confidence may be shaken, but it’s not debilitating. He remains focused on his job as a Celtic player, even as the doubts linger in his mind regarding his international standing.

It’s easy for us to say that he shouldn’t let it bother him.

Some Celtic bloggers would rather none of our players got selected for international duty, believing that all should withdraw from it. I disagree. Representing your country is the highest honour for any player, and in Japan, it carries particular weight due to the cultural importance of patriotism and honour. It must sting to be overlooked.

Hatate is fortunate in one sense—he is at least selected for the squad. His teammate, Kyogo, doesn’t even get that. The national coach has made it clear he doesn’t consider Kyogo one of Japan’s best, a decision most of us find absurd. On the other hand, Maeda plays regularly and has justified his selection time and again, including at the World Cup.

Kyogo and Hatate haven’t made much public fuss about the situation, but it must be difficult for them to watch others take the spots they believe they’ve earned. I sympathise with both of them, and there is a lingering worry that this could eventually influence their future at the club. By the summer, both may have decisions to make, and if a major offer comes in for Kyogo, we could be in an awkward position. Can we really justify standing in his way if he wants one last big move?

Hatate likely has more time left in his career, but the concern remains that the national coach might view him differently if he were playing in a higher-profile league.

Then again, Maeda, who also plays in the SPFL, is a regular pick. So, it might have little to do with the league and more to do with the coach’s personal assessment of Kyogo and Hatate. Unfortunately, there may be nothing they can do to change that.

Yet, on Wednesday, all three of them—Kyogo, Hatate, and Maeda—played key roles in our Champions League match at home. Two of them found the back of the net, and Maeda’s goal, in particular, showcased the trio working at their peak. The Champions League offers their best chance, and ours, to prove their worth. If they excel on that stage, how can the national coach continue to ignore them?

The Japanese national coach isn’t particularly popular, and some of his decisions have been questioned by many, including his failure to take Kyogo to the World Cup, which stunned Japanese fans. After the tournament, many expected him to lose his job, but he’s still there, and it seems he’s not going anywhere soon. This issue may persist whether our players shine in Europe or not, but big performances in big games will make it difficult to overlook them.

With a tough tie against Dortmund looming, there’s a massive opportunity for all three players to make their mark.

Of course, I want them to succeed because their success is our success. But on a personal level I want to see them do it because I think their treatment has been harsh. Hatate hasn’t been fully excluded like Kyogo, and if he keeps his head down and continues to perform for Celtic, I’m sure the rewards, both for club and country, will come his way. Kyogo may have more to do in that regard, but he too has an opportunity at this level to stake his claim.

Even this guy can’t ignore them forever if they continue to perform.