Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate was one of the standout performers in Celtic’s impressive 2-0 victory over RB Leipzig this week, further cementing his growing influence in the team. With Celtic now sitting on seven points at the halfway point of the Champions League group stage, Brendan Rodgers’ side is in a strong position to progress to the knockout rounds.
Following the victory, there has been widespread praise for several players who played key roles in the win, with Nicolas Kuhn’s two goals stealing much of the post-match spotlight. However, it would be remiss to overlook Hatate’s vital contribution. His first-ever goal in the Champions League helped seal the win and capped off a commanding performance in midfield.
Despite some external criticism of his form earlier in the season, Chris Sutton has highlighted a noticeable change in Hatate’s play. Writing for *The Daily Record*, Sutton pointed out that Hatate’s consistent selection, particularly starting both the Old Firm match and the recent cup semi-final against Aberdeen, speaks volumes about his performances. Sutton also noted that Hatate has managed to prove any doubters wrong by completing full matches without being substituted—a situation that had occurred often in the past.
Sutton wrote: “Four Champions League games so far and Hatate has started in three of them. That tells you what he’s delivering for Rodgers on a day-to-day basis. Something else has caught my attention over the past week—Hatate no longer looks like a player who struggles to finish games. In the past, he might have been one of the first to be substituted, but he’s shut that down this week.”
Sutton continued to praise Hatate’s performance against Leipzig, calling it a “real statement” of his ability and resilience. He noted how the midfielder not only maintained a high level of performance throughout the game but also scored to put the match beyond Leipzig’s reach. “That 90-minute performance against a top-level team like Leipzig shows just how far Hatate has come,” Sutton added. “At 26, he’s now taking on more senior responsibility in the team, and it’s clear he’s finally fulfilling his potential.”
Hatate’s impact this season has been significant, with four goals and an assist in 17 appearances across all competitions. Stat-tracking website Fotmob shows that Hatate has also been involved in creating 14 chances and completing six dribbles in league play, maintaining a 100% success rate in the latter category. With increased responsibility on his shoulders, Hatate has proven he can deliver consistently for Celtic, continuing to shine despite any early-season doubts.
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