REO HATATE has come a long way in his career.
More than 5,700 miles to be precise.
But the Celtic midfield star went back to his roots this weekend on an extended break back in Japan.
While a handful of his team-mates reconvened for first-team pre-season training, Hatate was back on the football pitch too – but far far away from Lennoxtown.
He dropped by on his old stomping ground in Mie province, just south of Nagoya, and was hit with a bout of nostalgia.
He wasn’t the only one as fellow Japanese stars Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi also headed home.
But Hatate was swamped by young fans from Senshin Gakuen Sakura Kindergarten then led the session for two older squads at TSV1973 Yokkaichi.
The 26-year-old took his old school team for some training and rekindled some sweet childhood memories out on the grass – and even found an old childhood pic.
He said: “I went to Mie, the land of memories ️and played soccer on the kindergarten and middle school club teams!
“Memories of my childhood came back and it’s been a very emotional day! Soccer with the kids because I’m powered.”
And he left feeling grateful – and it was just the mental reset he needed to prepare for the new campaign with the Hoops.
He added: “A little more rest and I’ll work hard for next season!
“Hopefully we can do something again next year…
“Thank you very much everyone.”
Last year Kyogo Furuhashi headed home and had Hoops fans fears heightened as he threatened to aggravate a recurring shoulder injury by playing baseball and golf as he larked around.
There were no ill effects though as Furuhashi avoided serious issues throughout the campaign and regained the title for Celtic.
And he earned another long trip home where he too passed on some expertise to young fans at the Kansai Soccer Festival.
Like Hatate, Kyogo also revisited his first club FC Gitu and even played football with PADDINGTON BEAR.
He said: “It was a very emotional day at the place where my professional soccer career began.
“Gifu is an important place in my soccer career.
“And the warmth of the fans and supporters who continue to support me has given me the strength to continue to do my best.
“I was happy to meet so many people. Thank you very much for coming.
“Also, thank you to everyone involved with FC Gifu, as well as the many people involved in the event, for creating a wonderful time for me.”
Furuhashi also visited former club Vissel Kobe and took a shot behind the mic commentating on their game with Kawasaki Frontale – Hatate’s old side.
Daizen Maeda was spreading the Celtic name with his kids kitted out in full Hoops kit to meet Mito Hollyhock mascot Holly-kun at the club’s J-League 2 match with V-Varen Nagasaki.
They lost 3-2 to a last minute goal but Maeda said: “I watched the game with my son who loves soccer! Thank you very much!
“I’ll do my best as a member of the national team from tomorrow onwards.”
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Hoops stars including Oh Hyeon-Gyu, Stephen Welsh and Nicolas Kuhn reported back to Lennoxtown last week with the likes of Callum McGregor, James Forrest and Anthony Ralston due back later because of their Euro 2024 participation with Scotland.
Others have enjoyed their own down-time but Brendan Rodgers will also wait longer to link up with Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston who are in action at the Copa America for USA and Canada.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page