Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate has been a bit off form lately, I think we can all agree on that but he could be our Top Bhoy up at Pittodrie…
The cultured Japanese playmaker hasn’t been producing the form we all know he’s clearly capable of, but he still has the ability to be a match winner, something he will be itching to prove up at Pittodrie tonight.
Reo scored on his last outing against the Dons in the Granite City, and also scored the winner in a vital win there last season, meaning he has previous when it comes to performing against the Dons in their own pen, so he could well prove to be a key player for Celtic this evening.
Another factor to take into consideration, is unlike the rest of the squad, the Japanese International isn’t as leg weary due to the demands of European and domestic football, as he of course missed out on last Thursday’s win over Utrecht due to suspension, and only appeared as a sub in Sundays victory over Falkirk, so he will be fresh and raring to go.
Martin O’Neill is well known for his ability to get the best out of players, so hopefully he can do similar with Reo, not just for tonight, but the reminder of the title run in. Yesterday, as Conor Spence reported earlier on The Celtic Star, Martin O’Neill confirmed that he is ready to throw in his three new signings in straight away so we could see something of Junior Amadu, Joel Mvuka and Benjamin Arthur this evening or at the weekend against Dundee in the Scottish Cup tie at Celtic Park.
Callum McGregor and Arne Engels are surefire bets to start in the middle, and Benjamin Nygren could possibly make up the midfield trio to take on the Dons. But don’t count out Reo who could well start due to his good record against the Pittodrie side.
Benji has been in terrific form, but don’t be surprised if he’s moved out to the right hand side of the attack to accommodate the creativity of Reo.
When Reo’s on top form, he is one of the, if not the best creative player in the country and he’s due to good performance, so hopefully tonight is the night.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Hatate, along with Maeda and Paulo, have had very disappointing season to date, with getting nowhere close to there playing capabilities imo?
Not the only 3 by any means, with ralston, Kenny and shin unable to take the opportunities that came there way also. That’s on top of so much inconsistencies within individual team and individual performances to add also.
No manager could foresee the injuries sustained, with AJ, CCV, Jota, Saracchi, Kelchi and Osmand for the planning process of the season. And we hardly helped ourselves with the Nancy fiasco?
So, with all things considered, it’s somewhat of an amazing achievement, that we are still in a position to make this a successful season for ourselves all the same imo?
It remains within our own hands still, despite the amount of setbacks that have had to overcome to date, within this season so far.
So our new additions to the squad, will be vital for ourselves, but we still need our more experienced and settled players, to be able to produce more also imo?
Hopefully that new energy will revitalise the whole squad, especially as a fair few, need that revitalised form, that has been missing for the best part of this season to date imo?
Still believe that we have still got the best footballing options available in quality terms, within Scottish football. But hasn’t functioned anywhere close to the ability levels on a consistent basis whatsoever?
Still believe that Hatate, Maeda and Paulo have big roles to play within the remainder of this season, but would be very helpful if they could start producing on a higher level and consistent basis also imo?