Reo Hatate admits his whole career has been boosted by his first ever Champions League goal.

The Celtic midfielder netted in the Hoops' super win against RB Leipzig last week as Brendan Rodgers' men eventually blew the Bundesliga side away.

It was his first ever goal in the competition and he became only the 15th Japanese player to score in the Champions League.

He's currently on international duty and will hope to finally get some game time after travelling 29,393 miles in the last two months for Japan without playing a single minute for his country - he last played for his country in June 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.


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"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."