The resurgence of Reo Hatate has been a welcome sight for Celtic fans and a reminder of his immense potential. After a difficult period last season, where injuries and inconsistent performances limited his impact, Hatate has started to look like the player who initially captured everyone’s attention. His display in Celtic’s 3-1 Champions League victory over RB Leipzig was a real statement of intent, demonstrating both his technical skill and his work ethic.
One of the biggest positives of Hatate’s return to form is the way he’s once again become a key figure in Celtic’s midfield. His ability to control the tempo and dictate play was crucial against Leipzig, and his fitness, especially in the latter stages of games, appears to have improved significantly. Brendan Rodgers has placed his trust in him, with Hatate starting in multiple big games, including the Old Firm derby and the cup semi-final against Aberdeen. This shows that Rodgers sees him as a central part of the squad moving forward, which is a big boost to the player’s confidence and the team’s midfield depth.
However, while Hatate’s recovery has been impressive, it’s worth considering the challenges he still faces. The pressure to maintain a high level of performance is significant, especially with the added competition from new arrivals like Paulo Bernardo, Arne Engels, and Luke McCowan. Hatate needs to continue proving himself in such a competitive environment to secure a regular starting spot. There’s also the issue of his injury history; while he seems to be fitter than last season, any recurrence of injuries could derail his progress again. His ability to stay healthy and maintain his form will be crucial, as Celtic can’t afford to have another star player sidelined for long periods.
On the whole, Hatate’s resurgence is a positive story, and his performance against Leipzig showed he’s back to his best. Yet, the question remains: Can he sustain this level of form over the course of the season while dealing with the pressures of competition and avoiding injury setbacks? His next few months will likely be key to determining whether he can truly establish himself as one of the top midfielders in the league and in Europe.
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