Reo Hatate will be glad of his call-up for the Japan national squad this morning, as not only will he get a chance at a first international call up as Japan face Australia and Vietnam in vital World Cup qualifiers, it will also afford him the chance to read some positive headlines, after coming under the media microscope for a challenge on Dundee United’s Kieran Freeman in Celtic’s 3-0 Scottish Cup Quarter final win at Tannadice.
Last week: There's been a corner
This week: There's been a tackle pic.twitter.com/kNn14NLLuN— Celtic SC©®™ (@Celtic67Fins72) March 16, 2022
Referee John Beaton saw fit – and rightly so in my opinion – to issue a yellow card for the first half challenge on Freeman, but that didn’t stop the debate as to whether Hatate’s challenge warranted a sending off rather than a caution.
Although poorly timed and somewhat reckless – as well as needless – the tackle certainly didn’t endanger his opponent. Hatate was still in control of his actions – with one foot still on the ground – and it was far from malicious. As such Beaton at least got something right on the night – unlike a certain ‘handball’ – and it appears Kieran Freeman, as reported by Football Scotland seemed far from concerned at the referees decision.
“I knew it was coming. I got the ball and tried to play it inside. These things happen. I’ll leave that to others to discuss. I was in the heat of the game and didn’t see too much.
“How much did he catch me? I’m not sure. I felt contact and it’s up to the referee to do whatever he thinks. I was down on the ground. I didn’t know what was happening around me and you can’t change that now.
“He gave the yellow and I don’t think it impacted on the game too much in the end. I had plenty of time to see that coming and it is what it is.”
Reo Hatate has received a great deal of plaudits for his early performances in the Hoops, in particular at Tynecastle and in last month’s Glasgow Derby. The attacking midfielder is certainly a player who impacts games and is willing to risk the wrath of fans impatience at times to try and take risks with his passes in the final third, something that will long-term reap far more rewards than patient recycling of the ball. His willingness to shoot from distance is also a welcome addition to Celtic’s armoury, yet his tracking back and competitive streak perhaps get less attention.
Ange Postecoglou’s decision to remove Hatate at half-time was perhaps a wise move, given one more mis-timed tackle may have given the referee a decision to make – and we all know the conclusion he would have reached. And it may well be Hatate should be reminded that Celtic players are not always treated with the same disciplinary consistency as he may see afforded to other players in Scottish football.
Yet as much as you can’t help but admire the creativity of Reo Hatate, you also have to recognise he brings a certain level of devilment in his play and in the rough and tumble of Scottish football, those tools will also be required.
Perhaps Reo Hatate may well need to be a bit cuter as to how he imposes himself when it comes to the physical side of the game, but you certainly wouldn’t want to see his enthusiasm blunted, as it brings a new facet to the Celtic team and a physical string to the bow we don’t exactly have in abundance.
Niall J
