There’s been a bit of debate following Reo Hatate’s substitution and apparent pique at the decision to withdraw him from the action yesterday afternoon. In some quarters, it has even been viewed as petulance, I’m not sure that’s the case at all…
Much has been made of the three-way conversation – as viewed on Celtic’s Unique Angle coverage yesterday – where Reo Hatate –confirmed as Celtic’s principal penalty taker post-match by the manager – Callum McGregor and eventual goal scorer Arne Engels had a confab on the edge of the area.
The Celtic captain appears to mouth ‘it’s up to you’ before Reo passes the ball to Engels and the Belgian slots away the penalty beautifully. This despite Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland expending more energy advising Engels he was in a pressure situation and questioning his transfer fee than the out of condition plumpish striker did in the time he managed to stay on the pitch, before his manager put his out of his misery.
After the kick is converted Hatate is seen in conversation with Brendan Rodgers, appears in good spirits and then he and Engels have a quick hug before the match restarts.
If Hatate had any problems with handing on the penalty baton it certainly didn’t appear that way before or immediately after the penalty was taken.
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When Hatate was subbed it was reported he had struck a VAR monitor and stormed up the tunnel. That’s not what I saw initially as he appeared to connect positively with the manager although I appreciate I may have missed something that happened after that.
I think it’s unlikely the penalty incident caused much, if any, friction, and I doubt the substitution resulted anything more than what Reo Hatate has exhibited plenty of times during match or in periods of self-reflection after a game has concluded. Instead, as ever, I think Hatate is so self-critical at times I wish he would cut himself as much slack as others do who see his ability to be Celtic’s driving creative force.
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It’s been a tough couple of weeks for Reo. You have to remember he has questioned whether his own ability is at a suitable level to be considered for international football, having sat out both of Japan’s international games recently. And although in the second half we saw the Japanese midfielder show flashes of creativity, the opening 45 minutes perhaps fell below his high standards.
If there was any ire from Hatate I would suggest it was directed almost solely at himself and the high standards he demands of himself rather than anything any more sinister than that.
I’ve seen it mentioned Hatate can be a hot and cold player, that he exhibits moodiness, irritability and impatience but I wouldn’t take that as being anything other than a player demanding a great deal from himself and his teammates, and perhaps occasionally falling a little short of what he expects to deliver.
Give me a player capable of such introspection any day, particularly one who strives to be the best version of himself and improve every time he sets foot on the pitch. That may come across to some as a negative, for me that’s a sign of a player who will improve and remain self-critical whilst in the process.
Niall J
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Sometimes we can overlook the human factor within players, with thinking they are robotic within their approach within matches?
Personally, would never question the attitude of Hatate, and would consider him very much of a team player, and a very good one at that for ourselves imo?
However, it wouldn’t have been easy for Hatate to handle getting called up for the Japanese squad, yet wasn’t involved within the match day squads?
And would have involved a lot of travelling, and to not get much of a return for doing so either?
Also, after a whirlwind start to the Celtic career of Hatate, it took a major step back, last season with injuries?
So still playing catch-up with the adjustments that Rodgers has installed, into so many of our players all round game?
It’s no secret that Hatate would like to further his career elsewhere, but that would require a big season for ourselves, especially within the CL matches for ourselves first?
Certainly has the ability to do so, even if the consistency levels are starting to creep into his game at present?
But that’s also something that most of our established players had to overcome last season also?
So for Hatate to be playing catch up, along with some shinning new toys within our midfield areas at present.
It will be a test of character for Hatate to adjust to, and certainly got no reason to question the character of Hatate whatsoever imo?
Still very much regard Hatate as a quality and big player for ourselves, and hope it continues that way for some considerable time also?
Agreed Neil!
Reno is just a bit hard on himself. Nothing more.