Sutton enters the Hatate debate, offers two theories and calls for a quick resolution

Chris Sutton considers the intriguing midfield situation at Celtic this morning in his newspaper column and you can bet that when we discover who is picked to play alongside Callum McGregor in the middle of the park tomorrow at around 10.45am, when Celtic release the team line-up for the game against Aberdeen, will be the first thing that the support looks for.

The former Celtic striker is a huge Hatate fan and reckons that there can only be one of two reasons why he’s not currently in the team. And while he appreciates the qualities of both David Turnbull (who scored twice last weekend against Ross County) and Matt O’Riley (who scored one and had an assist in another against the Highlanders) he cannot understand how Hatate can’t make the starting eleven unless one of two things are at play.

And the Sky Sports pundit reckons that whichever one of his theories is correct, matters need to be resolved and quickly.

“Reo Hatate was my Player of the Year as Celtic scorched to the Treble,” Sutton reminded us this morning, in his Saturday column in Daily Record.

“I’m fairly sure there are a number of supporters who would have agreed with that vote. Hatate was electric, he was dynamic, he was thrilling and, most importantly, he had a huge influence on the team. So the simple question is: What has gone wrong? Or what is going on?

“Hatate being left out of the side for the opening day of the season and the subsequent comments on the situation from Brendan Rogers tell me something’s not right. Let’s get one thing straight. Rodgers knows a player all right. He’s not reached his levels in management by not being able to see talent. Hatate clearly has it so whatever reason, it’s not being shown.

“Of course, Rodgers might simply not think he’s as good as David Turnbull or Matt O’Riley. Fair enough if that’s the case. It’s a manager’s prerogative to decide who he likes and who he doesn’t.

“But I cannot honestly believe that, if the Japanese was showing in training what he has shown on the park for the previous 18 months, he wouldn’t be starting. So that leads me to believe there can only be a couple of things at play,” Sutton stated.

“Either something is simmering in the background as regards a transfer which is swirling around in his head and diverting his focus. And I wouldn’t be surprised if there are teams in bigger leagues having a close look in this transfer window. Or he’s simply not delivering on the training pitch for another reason.

“Whatever it is, it can’t be of assistance to have one of your top players not firing and you cannot tell me Hatate is not within Celtic’s top bracket of stars. None of this is to take anything away from Turnbull and O’Riley.

“Both have clearly performed through the pre-season for the manager and shown the skills and application. O’Riley has always been in the thick of it. He played virtually every game for Ange Postecoglou last season and his adaptability and versatility is impressive.

“The Dane has plenty of attributes and, if there was one criticism, it was that he should have been scoring more goals. O’Riley set about rectifying that with a goal on the opening day and it was interesting to hear him say he was working in a slightly different role.

“Turnbull’s situation is fascinating. He was out of the Postecoglou picture and looked to be heading out of the door. There’s no question he has talents. That’s clear. But it’s consistency and the ability to influence big matches which are the key.

“Turnbull has not been able thus far during his career since joining from Motherwell but Rodgers has a track record of improving players and this might be the beginning of another impressive burst. Nonetheless, I still can’t see Turnbull or O’Riley being a better option than a fully-firing Hatate and that’s where it becomes unclear.

It needs to be resolved. Either Hatate snaps out of what is holding him back and starts producing for Rodgers or he leaves and the manager gets to add someone who is going to be up to the levels he is seeking,” the former Celtic striker reasoned.

Some of the responses to this tweet are worthy of a mention…

“Unlike CalMac, Kyogo and Maeda, he’s not signed the new contract he was offered. I think his head/mind is elsewhere. Hopefully, I’m wrong and we see him back to his best as he’s a fantastic player”…

“Agreed. Was a dafty talking (needlessly) about wanting away to the EPL in pre-season. Naturally if he isn’t performing or in the team, we are gonna look at the possibility of his head being ‘elsewhere'”…

“100% no player has a right to start every game. Just think Reo is a better player and as Chris said
there’s no question he (Turnbull) has talents. That’s clear. But it’s consistency and the ability to influence big matches which are the key”…

“I don’t think it’s as big a drama as it is. But with Brighton getting that £100m, now needing a midfielder, after having previous interest in Hatate… I can see why there is a lot of chatter.”

Brendan Rodgers on Reo Hatate: “Reo’s been really good in training. He didn’t play but he came into the game. He knows areas he needs to work on to play for me and the structure of how I work. He’s responded really well in training and will absolutely be a player we need over the season.”