Reo Hatate was beaming alongside Brendan Rodgers after his standout performance in the Champions League. It’s no surprise. The Japanese midfielder has finally reached the level I expected from him a year ago—leading the charge and dominating games at the highest level in Europe. While Celtic’s players received praise this week, I believe Hatate’s display was the most impressive for several reasons. Rodgers has a wealth of talent at his disposal, but I can’t recall the last time Celtic so thoroughly controlled a match against such top-quality opposition in the competition.
Although Celtic’s 5-0 victory over Slovan Bratislava was eye-catching, RB Leipzig represented a much sterner test. Currently second in the Bundesliga, they were comfortably second-best in midweek. Nicolas Kuhn might be stealing the headlines for his goals, but it’s clear Celtic’s captain, Callum McGregor, was outstanding once again, delivering a sublime performance against Leipzig. McGregor makes everything seem effortless, handling pressure with ease where others might falter, and he continues to set the standard in midfield.
For a long time, McGregor has been the key player for Celtic, his consistency vital. But what’s drawn my attention this week is Hatate. In Ange Postecoglou’s second season at Celtic, Hatate was sensational. Kyogo Furuhashi rightly won Player of the Year, but I felt Hatate should have shared that recognition. The question of how the Japanese players would respond to Postecoglou’s departure was widely discussed, and while Kyogo and Daizen Maeda have maintained strong form under Rodgers, Hatate’s rise stalled.
At the start of last season, Rodgers’ decision to start David Turnbull ahead of Hatate raised eyebrows. No disrespect to Turnbull, who is a good player, but Hatate was seen as the more talented option. But for various reasons, including injuries, Hatate found himself on the fringes, missing out on key Champions League fixtures. Instead, Matt O’Riley stepped up alongside McGregor, and Paulo Bernardo’s arrival further complicated matters. Hatate, who had once been a rising star, was left fighting to regain his place.
This season, with more competition for places following the signings of Bernardo, Arne Engels, and Luke McCowan, Hatate faced a critical juncture in his career. Fans were excited by the new faces, but it’s clear that Hatate is catching the eye of Rodgers, with his regular inclusion in big matches speaking volumes. So far, he’s started three of Celtic’s four Champions League games and has been a fixture in key domestic fixtures as well. His performances this season have been a far cry from the past, when he was often substituted after an hour.
Hatate’s fitness and work rate have been excellent. Against Aberdeen at Hampden, he played the full 90 minutes, showing no signs of fatigue. That was a telling moment, and he followed it up with an exceptional display against Leipzig, where many were surprised to see Engels substituted instead of Hatate, who was still going strong.
That performance, capped with his first-ever Champions League goal, was a clear statement from the 26-year-old. It shows he’s back to his best, combining his incredible talent with the stamina and consistency needed to excel at the highest level. Hatate is now embracing his role as a senior player, something I expected from him last season. No wonder he and Rodgers were smiling together after the win. He’s back, and Celtic fans can be excited for what’s ahead.
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