Celtic’s Japanese midfielder #41 Reo Hatate celebrates with teammates after scoring his team third goal during the UEFA Champions League football m…Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images
Chris Sutton salutes superb Reo Hatate as he shares the change he’s noticed in him at Celtic
Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate was front and centre as the Bhoys saw off RB Leipzig in midweek after his stunning performance at Parkhead.
With the Bhoys now on seven points at the halfway point of the Champions League league phase, Brendan Rodgers’ men stand a real chance of securing progression to the knockout stages of the competition.
After Celtic saw off Leipzig expertly, adulation has poured in for several stars who played a key role in securing a statement result. Nicolas Kuhn was the standout after his double against his former club, claiming the majority of post-match attention.
Reo Hatate of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammate Daizen Maeda during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 …
Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
However, it would be hasty to forget Hatate’s brilliant display against the Bundesliga outfit as he capped a classy midfield showing with his first-ever goal in Europe’s premier competition to put the match beyond doubt.
Despite external noise surrounding his recent displays, Chris Sutton has explained the change he’s noticed in the Japanese midfielder following the Bhoys’ magical night against Leipzig.
Chris Sutton salutes Celtic star Reo Hatate amid Leipzig display
Writing for The Daily Record, Sutton pointed out the fact Brendan Rodgers didn’t take Hatate off against Aberdeen or Leipzig as a primary indicator of his level of performance.
He explained: “Four Champions League games so far and Hatate has started in three of them. Old Firm game. Started. Cup semi-final against Aberdeen. Started. That tells you what he’s delivering for Rodgers on a day-to-day basis and something else has caught my attention with Hatate over the past week.
“I’m sure I’m not the only one who felt that, at times, he wasn’t getting through games. When the subs board went up after an hour or so, you sensed he would be one to get replaced. Myth or not, it happened plenty in the past. But he’s blown that notion out of the water this week.”
Later, he continued on Hatate: “Hatate justified Rodgers’ faith and more (vs Leipzig). Not only did he grow even stronger in that last hour, he added his first-ever Champions League goal to seal the deal.
“Make no mistake, that 90-minute performance of that quality against that standard of opponent is a real statement from the player of where’s at once again. Hatate is back to that thrilling best with outrageous talent and an engine to keep it all running.
“At 26, he’s five years older than Engels, four more than Bernardo and looks to be really grasping that senior-figure responsibility. It was where I thought he’d be last season. No wonder Hatate and the boss were smiling together afterwards.”
Reo Hatate continues to shine for Celtic
Making his presence known on the goal front this season, Hatate has registered four strikes and an assist in 17 appearances across all competitions.
Stat-trackers Fotmob show the Japan international has also created 14 chances on league duty alongside completing six dribbles, giving the former Kawasaki Frontale man a 100% success rate in that respect.
While some have asked questions this campaign, Hatate continues to deliver in a Celtic jersey with extra responsibility on his shoulders.
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