REO IS STILL ALL IN

O'Neill shoots down talk of Japanese ace in Hoops huff

- MICHAEL GANNON

MARTIN O'NEILL insists Reo Hatate is not in a Hoops huff and the midfielder is determined to battle his way back to top form.

The Celtic boss admitted the out-of-sorts Japanese ace has struggled in recent weeks, which has led to suggestions the 28-year-old is in a strop after failing to secure an exit.

But O'Neill revealed he had a heart-to-heart with Hatate and is convinced the playmaker is fully committed to the Parkhead club's trophy quest.

O'Neill shot down questions about the player's attitude ahead of tonight's Europa League playoff first leg with Stuttgart.

He said: "I don't think that, no. That might have existed in the last couple of months or something. But now, since the window, no, he just has to try and regain form.

"He wants to knuckle down. He said this to me.

He wants to really knuckle down.

"I think that some of these lads are concerned about maybe not getting into the (Japan) World Cup squad in the summertime.