Reo Hatate hopes Celtic lift off with Champions League first sparks domino effect

A goal against RB Leipzig has the japanese targeting a similar outcome with the Samurai Blue

Reo Hatate is aiming high after achieving Champions League lift off with Celtic by scoring his first goal in the competition.

The Japanese netted in the Hoops stunning comeback win over RB Leipzig at Parkhead, sealing three precious points against the Bundesliga outfit after Nicolas Kuhn's double had turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead. It's his first time getting on the scoresheet at Europe's top table in three seasons of trying, despite coming up trumps in Old Firm clashes with Rangers more than once.

Hatate is back on international duty with the Samurai Blue and is hoping to finally get on the pitch after travelling 29,393 miles in the last two months for Japan without playing a single minute for his country. He actually last played for his nation back in June, appearing in a 5-0 win over Myanmar. However, he is expected to play a part in Japan's final World Cup qualifiers away in Indonesia and China. And he admits that goal could make all the difference.

He said: "I think that goal was a very important one for my career. It was my first goal in the Champions League in my third season of playing in the competition, so I was delighted I finally scored it because it was overdue.

"It was just great to score such a valuable goal for the team. Now my next aim is to score my first goal for my country too.

"I know we have a very strong squad and I want an opportunity to show what I can do. Indonesia especially will be a very tough game. I think the standard of football in Asia is rising all the time."