Reo Hatate

He will be our player of the year easily if he can stay fit superb player

 

HE may have netted the winning goal for Celtic at the weekend, but midfielder Reo Hatate was a frustrated figure as he conducted press duties following the full-time whistle.

The Japanese international unleashed a stunning strike from the edge of the penalty box against Motherwell to ensure his team claimed an important three points in the Scottish Premiership title race.

The Premiership champions went ahead through Kyogo Furuhashi before their opponents were gifted a route back into the game following a disastrous own goal from Josip Juranovic.




Hatate then popped up with the winner but the fixture would ultimately end in disappointment personally, as his slack pass resulted in his skipper Callum McGregor being shown a straight red card for felling Ross Tierney as the last man.

“I must learn from my mistake,” admitted the 24-year-old. “It was good to score but then I made a mistake, so it was not good and it was not bad.”

Hatate admitted he apologised to his captain, but “you will have to ask him” was the response when quizzed on whether McGregor had accepted his apology.


The Scotland international was visibly angered by his midfield partner’s slackness and the disappointment will have added to a frustrating international break for Hatate.



The former Kawasaki Frontale playmaker did not feature for Japan in their two friendly fixtures against the USA and Ecuador.

It was clear from the off against Motherwell that he was out to prove a point and after landing the man of the match award, he will be hoping that his international coach Hajime Moriyasu was tuning in.

He continued: “For me it is about Celtic. I am happy with a goal and that we won the game. It all depends on us. We have to focus on each game and do our part.”

As part of his Japan frustrations, Hatate stated how he felt his experience in the Champions League would help him on the international stage.

A number of key European fixtures and Premiership games are to come this month in a hectic schedule, but Hatate feels he and his teammates are ready for the challenge.


Each game will be very tough,” he admitted. “It is important to have a good recovery and performance for the team.

“Each competition is important and makes you improve but I definitely can learn a lot by playing in the Champions League.”

Leipzig are up next for Celtic and Hatate is expecting a tough test, but when asked about their threat, the midfielder doubled down on the importance of he and his teammates concentrating on their own game first and foremost.

He added: “I am enjoying the Champions League and I am learning how to prepare myself. I will learn a lot and I enjoy that experience.

“The biggest challenge is playing our football. We will try as always to play our football.”

 

it was a terrible pass from reo but you have to wonder where the * our 4 defenders where at ,at that stage of the game with a slender lead

 

Poor pass aside he was our best player in that game and of our attacking talent the one who was really at it. He got slack the last 10 minutes but that aside he was excellent for most. The ball that released Jota for McGregors chance was inch perfect and his two strikes of the post and the goal were both brilliant.

I know there is a lot of hype about O’Riley who is a cracking player and is that bit younger, but you have to remember Hatate is a very fresh 24 year old, only having come to senior football at 22. He is another outstanding piece of business at £1.4m or so.

I would love us to sign his former team mate Ao Tanaka who is playing at Fortuna Düsseldorf but is capable of playing far higher too.

 

He is outstanding. Wouldn’t be surprised if the big teams are sitting up and taking notice of him. He’s at home at this level and will make us some amount of money.

 

Easily one of our best player's. Could even argue he's our best player right now..

 

Such a quick thinker and on occasion too quick for his own good. But when he's on it he's * sensational. My favourite player in this Celtic side.

 

If he had 90 minutes in him every game it wouldn’t be in doubt for me. So sharp and his passing is outstanding.

 

It'll come mate. I'm sure of it..

 

Think so mate, his stamina is noticeably improving. He was totally burst after 50 minutes against Madrid

 

His pass to Kyogo for the goal was sublime. He really struggles physically though and looked lost defensively today (as did everyone).

 

Still parts of his game that needs fine tuning but he's a brilliant player.

 

Our best midfielder.


*awaits slagging*

 

I think he’s doing ok, nothing more. His pass for the goal tonight was an easy pass, not brilliant, not sublime either like many would say. Defensively he is all over the place, which is even very noticeable in the SPFL. There is no doubt there is potential to become a very good player, I think this one and another season with Ange and hopefully we see a player develop into a very good player.

 

He really should have shown more composure when he got the ball as their keeper got injured.

 

I missed the last half hour or so but I thought Hatate was poor before that, ok on the ball but absolutely non existent off it and it cost us. Kept leaving massive gaps and don’t think he put a single tackle in.

 

I'm surprised seeing his thread so quiet after today's game.
Class performance, great vision and execution of the passes (one for the goal was sublime)
You can always expect something happening when he's on the ball.
MOTM for me.

 

Aye he was really good before he went off. He's the guy that makes things happen in that midfield.

 

Sublime.

 

Same. Thought we should have kept him on longer too.