HAT'S OFF ‘Me eyeing up the menu in the chippy’ – Celtic star Reo Hatate’s bizarre warm-up routine leaves fans in stitches

Hatate, 28, started for the Hoops' Europa League clash against Roma on Thursday at Celtic Park.

Celtic ace Reo Hatate went viral thanks to his unique pre-match ritual

Hatate held up his index fingers and looked left, right, up and down as he checked his peripheral vision

The versatile midfielder became a social media sensation before the match even began, as the TNT Sports camera captured him engaging in a peculiar pre-game custom. The Japanese international was observed elevating his index fingers in several positions while moving his eyes left, right, up, and down, apparently ensuring his peripheral vision was functioning optimally. Hatate typically maintains this ritual for a full minute before transitioning to more traditional warm-up movements like fast-twitch drills and short runs.

Celtic supporters reacted with amusement, flooding social media platforms after watching the routine broadcast on television.

One fan quipped on X (formerly Twitter): "Me studying the selections at the fish and chip shop."

Another person remarked: "He appears to be calculating the winning lottery combination."

A third user suggested: "Attempting to recall the manager's tactical instructions for battleship."

This supporter noted: "His unique routine brings a sense of calm to me."

And another commented: "I have honestly never witnessed anything quite like this before."

However, Hatate's distinctive routine offered little assistance to Celtic, as they ultimately fell to a 3-0 defeat against Roma in Glasgow. The Scottish champions now find a top-eight finish increasingly distant, though they still hold prospects for securing a play-off spot as they sit 24th in the league phase.