REO HATATE admits "emotional and physical fatigue" is kicking in with the games coming thick and fast for Celtic at the business end of the season.

The Hoops midfielder has been a hit since arriving in Glasgow in January after joining from Kawasaki Frontale.

Early goals in his Celtic career against Hearts and Rangers made an instant impression with the Parkhead faithful, but his performance level has dipped in recent weeks.

Hatate admits he is finding the hectic Scottish fixture schedule difficult, but he is hoping to adapt his game to help his side clinch the Premiership crown with five games remaining.

He told Sportiva: "Since my debut against Hibernian I've felt the intensity of the European game and played a number of games. The fact that I've kept getting appearances shows that the team trusts in me and that's given me a lot of confidence.

"But for what feels like the first time, I'm definitely feeling emotional and physical fatigue. It's been three months since I arrived in Glasgow and getting used to a new environment on and off the pitch has been trial and error.

"In Japan there were ways I could refresh myself and take a mental break but that's difficult when you're playing so frequently.

"There are times when can't make a run on goal, or hold back on the attack to preserve the team's balance, and I have to recognise my fatigue.

"For the national team I had to go to Australia, then Japan, and back to Scotland. It was my first call-up as an overseas player and I was confronted with the difficulty of maintaining your condition while traveling and then immediately having to get results for your team.

"When you're away from your team on national team duty there's a chance you can lose your position.

"My first day back at Celtic there was a moment that I saw two balls and was clearly jetlagged but in Europe you need to be tough enough to stay fit and fight for your position.

"So to start against Rangers gave me a lot of confidence. It was huge to be able to help create the equaliser.

"On the match sheet I didn't score a goal or record an assist, but it was huge that I was able to leave my mark on the team's victory.

"Daizen (Maeda) talked about how even though the team has been building on what it's been doing, those of us who joined mid-season have added our own strength and helped push us into first place.

"I definitely feel tired but I want to keep doing whatever I can to help the team win the league, and I think I'll become tougher and stronger as a result."