Ange Postecoglou insists in-form Reo Hatate will keep fighting for a World Cup spot. But the Celtic boss is adamant that, even if his ambitious midfield ace doesn’t make Qatar, it won’t curb his desire to stay a key man at Parkhead and become a Japanese national-team star of the future.
Hatate is in blistering form as Postecoglou ’s champions head to Tynecastle for Saturday's lunchtime clash with Hearts. The 24-year-old is in the thinking of national-coach Hajime Moriyasu as he plans his final squad for Qatar.
Postecoglou believes his starlet will keep battling to make the cut, but maintains he’ll keep a razor-sharp focus with Celtic no matter the final decision over a Finals call-up.
The boss said: “I’m sure that is in his mind. It is sometimes hard with national teams because it all depends on the manager and what he is looking for and also the other players in the position he’s in.“They have got a pretty experienced midfield pedigree in the Japanese national team, so it is pretty hard for someone like him to break through, but it is not going to stop him from trying.
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