Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate took to Instagram on Sunday to hilariously wish his teammate and fellow Japanese international Daizen Maeda a happy birthday.
The pair, who have shared success at both club and international level, often display a close bond, and Hatate’s light-hearted birthday message didn’t disappoint.
The post came with a funny twist, as Hatate included a picture of Maeda munching on a banana before a match, giving fans a glimpse of the humour behind the scenes at Celtic Park. Hatate captioned the image with well-wishes for Maeda, who turned 27 on Sunday:
It was a weekend of mixed fortunes for the rapid winger. Despite his usual high work rate, Maeda was involved in a crucial moment during Celtic’s 2-2 draw with Aberdeen on Saturday. His misplaced pass led to the Dons’ equaliser, leaving him disappointed with his contribution.
Despite the frustrating result, Celtic extended their lead over Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership table by Sunday evening, offering some consolation for Maeda and the squad.
Having added another year to his age, Maeda will now focus on bouncing back from his uncharacteristic display as Celtic prepare for their upcoming Champions League clash against Atalanta in Bergamo. F
Fans will be hoping he can put the weekend’s blunder behind him and return to his best form on the European stage.
