Reo Hatate is looking a little off form at the moment

Reo Hatate is looking a little off form. Perhaps it’s time for him to start on the bench on Wednesday night?

Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor and Arne Engels in discussion on who should take the penalty. Celtic v Hearts, Celtic Park, 14 September 2024 Photo Robert Perry/Shutterstock

Reo Hatate is a player I admire very much. He’s got talent in abundance and brings an extra dimension to our midfield in terms of creativity, especially in the SPFL where sides try to smoother us on a weekly basis.

Reo can prove to be the difference with just one pass or strike, he’s a proven match winner who is well worth his place in the team, but questions have recently started to be asked of his place in the starting XI, especially with the signings of Arne Engels and Luke McCowan.

Arne Engels of Celtic celebrates with his manager Brendan Rodgers after he scores his team’s opening goal during the match between Celtic and Hearts at Celtic Park on September 14, 2024 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Reo again put in a lacklustre performance against Hearts. He looked a little off form as he did against theRangers, although as far as Saturday’s game goes, it could be that the travelling involved in international duty with Japan could have had an affect, as Daizen Maeda also looked a little jaded against Hearts.

But with Arne Engels looking assured, and Luke McCowan also looking lively off the bench, as well as the form of Paulo Bernardo, Brendan has plenty of options to choose from going into Wednesday nights clash with Slovan Bratislava.

For me a middle three of Callum McGregor, Paulo Bernardo and Arne Engels would give us a more solid base against a well drilled opponent in Slovan. We could always call on Reo should we need to, so maybe a spell on the bench would be ideal for Reo at this moment in time, starting on Wednesday night?

It’s a tough call but one that Brendan Rodgers will have no problem one way of the other regarding his midfield trio to start in the Champions League.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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About Author

An ordinary everyday Celtic supporters hailing and still residing in Govan in the shadows of the enemy. I’m a season ticket holder. I Witnessed my first Celtic game in 1988 and have attended when I can ever since. Growing up in the 90s I witnessed Celtic at their lowest, and now appreciate the historic success we enjoy today. I enjoy writing about this wonderful football club and hopefully will continue to do so. I’ve always been a keen writer and initially started this a hobby. My ambition is to one day become as good an author as my fellow Celtic Star colleagues.

1 Comment

  1. Yes he does but our whole team looked tired playing the same not team but the same way teams bedding in waiting for Celtic player losing his patience and going for a pass low percetage pass that has a high risk of been cut out thus losing momentum either in winning back or possession losing momentum and the crowd anticipation starting again our main culprits are the full backs and the attacking midfielder who gets rushed by the fans moving the ball about from side to side against hearts was just the same the last spl game with a different strip you will see the difference on European nights with the intensity at its highest supporters fully focused quick thinking who has the ability like hiata take centre stage where there passing and vision comes to the fore and have the fans believe in them to do it him and kyoko mght have been looking for a move yes there time is coming these games will determined which clubs will be bidding for them I’ve no doubt there last season in spl they have been a breath of fresh air now the are at the stage that a bigger league not club is there next move Wednesday night game is important for that if they fail not good for Celtic and players future destatination