Earlier this week a stats based podcast actually asked if Reo Hatate was good enough for Celtic! Remarkable really and judging by the response on social media the Celtic supporters reckoned the answer to the silliest question of the season is an emphatic yes!
Today Reo Hatate scooped the Dafabet Man of the Match award for Celtic again today as the Bhoys triumphed over Derek McInnes’ Kilmarnock side at Parkhead. It was another tough match as Killie sat deep and allowed Celtic have more or less all the posession in order to frustrate and irritate the home support and management team.
It worked well enough up until an excellently worked goal which saw Jota provide the all important finishing touch just ahead of the half-time whistle. There was a mix-up as to who actually got it, with both the Portuguese winger and Kyogo Furuhashi going in on the Kilmarnock goalkeeper for the cross.
Celtic had 80% possesion today in a game that they totally controlled from start to finish. Reo Hatate, Aaron Mooy and Callum McGregor were fantastic at keeping the ball moving today and ensuring that the game wouldn’t be brought to a complete standstill, despite McInnes and his team’s best efforts to the contrary.
Reo is proving to be a crucial piece of this Angeball jigsaw as it still evolves from its first phase. He’s been an ever-present since coming into the side straight from Kawasaki Frontale in the J-League. His howitzer against the forlorn Craig Gordon and Hearts at Tyncastle this time last year set the tone for Reo in a Celtic jersey and he hasn’t looked back since.
There is only way this guy is going and at this rate the heavens are his limit because he has it all. With Callum McGregor and Aaron Mooy in midfield next to him, we look formidable at the minute and it would take something special to outlay those three. But Reo was pick of the bunch yet again today and is fully deserving of the vote for Man of the Match.
Congratulations, Reo! You are more than good enough wee man!
Astonishingly, only this week, some people were asking 'Is Hatate good enough?'
There's yer answer. 💚 pic.twitter.com/kWeDklTnQI
— Davie McLaughlin (@McLaughlin_1888) January 7, 2023
🗳️ Who’s been your #CELKIL @Dafabet MOTM, Celts?
Today’s nominations have been chosen by @CelticTV‘s studio guest, @SimonDonnelly13!
Five minutes to vote ⤵📊#cinchPrem | #COYBIG | #DafabetMOTM ⭐
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) January 7, 2023
Paul Gillespie
