Reo coming back is welcome news, but his lack of minutes is a concern…
Reo Hatate leaves the park injured. Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
Reo Hatate is closing in on full fitness and should be available for selection after the international break. We’ve sorely missed the Japanese international who has endured a horrendous season with injury.
Reo is the most technically gifted midfielder in the country by a distance. It’s only natural that we would miss his creativity in the middle of the park, any side would as he’s such a talented player. His return is good news as it means he should be available for selecting for our biggest game of the season at Ibrox on Sunday 7th April.
Football: Asian Cup Japan’s Reo Hatate weighs up his options in the second half of a group stage match against Indonesia at the Asian Cup football tournament at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Jan. 24, 2024.
The dreaded plastic
But we must exercise some caution when it comes to Reo as he will naturally be rather rusty due to his lack of match fitness. The first game he will be available for is a tough trip to face Livingston on the dreaded plastic. It would be good to get Reo some minutes into his legs before the trip to Ibrox, but risking him on the hazardous Livi surface might not be a risk worth taking.
16th September 2023 Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland Scottish Premiership Football, Celtic versus Dundee Reo Hatate of Celtic warms up as he returns to the squad Photo ActionPlus – David Young
Catch 22
It’s a bit of Catch 22 situation so either way Reo is going to be a rusty when it’s time to take to the field at Ibrox. Brendan Rodgers has a big call to make, but let’s just hope it’s the right one for both the player and the team. Reo, if he’s fully fit, could make the difference this season.
Personal point of view
And from his own personal point of view, he needs to get himself fully fit and playing football on a regular basis if he is to turn all that talent and potential into a career at the very top of the game.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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Celtic v St. Johnstone – cinch Premiership – Celtic Park Celtics Callum McGregor during the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Saturday August 26, 2023. Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxIRL Copyright: xStevexWelshx 73460903
Celtic v St. Johnstone – cinch Premiership – Celtic Park Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers during the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Saturday August 26, 2023. Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxIRL Copyright: xStevexWelshx 73462421
Celtic v St. Johnstone – cinch Premiership – Celtic Park St Johnstone goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov attempts to punch the ball clear during the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Saturday August 26, 2023. Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxIRL Copyright: xStevexWelshx 73462474
Celtic v St. Johnstone – cinch Premiership – Celtic Park St Johnstone s Graham Carey and Celtics Liel Abada left battle for the ball during the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Saturday August 26, 2023. Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxIRL Copyright: xStevexWelshx 73462254
Celtic v St. Johnstone – Gustaf Lagerbielke during the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park, Saturday August 26, 2023. Photo Steve Welsh
Celtic v St. Johnstone – cinch Premiership – Matt O Riley shoots during the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park on Saturday August 26, 2023. Photo Steve Welsh
Celtic v St. Johnstone – cinch Premiership – Kyogo Furuhashi shoots during the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park on Saturday August 26, 2023. Photo Steve Welsh
Celtic v St. Johnstone – cinch Premiership – Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers during the cinch Premiership match on Saturday August 26, 2023. Photo Steve Welsh
Celtic v St. Johnstone – cinch Premiership – Callum McGregor after the final whistle of the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park on Saturday August 26, 2023. Photo Steve Welsh
Celtic v St. Johnstone – cinch Premiership – Celtic Park St Johnstone s Daniel Phillips tackles Celtics Greg Taylor during the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Saturday August 26, 2023. Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxIRL Copyright: xStevexWelshx 73461041
Celtic v St. Johnstone – cinch Premiership – Celtic Park Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers during the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Saturday August 26, 2023. Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder. PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxIRL Copyright: xStevexWelshx 73460974