Martin O’Neill is still looking to get the best out of Reo Hatate before his time as interim manager draws to a close after the Scottish Cup Final against Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline on 23rd May…
Not seen since the loss at Tannadice in a match played on an absolutely dreadful surface, the cultured Japanese midfielder has certainly dropped down the pecking order at Celtic – to the dismay of many supporters.
Hatate finds himself down the pecking order
Hatate currently finds himself behind a host of midfielders including the Celtic captain Callum McGregor, who is playing despite carrying an injury, fit again Arne Engels, top goalscorer Benjamin Nygren, veteran signing Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and also Luke McCowan who last week signed a contract extension at Celtic.
Spare a thought for Paulo Bernardo
Only Paulo Bernardo is further down the pecking order and it’s hard to imagine why both of these fine midfielders can’t get a sniff of first team action under Martin O’Neill.
Not that it matters to much to the Celtic support who simply want to win the remaining five matches of the season by whatever means necessary.
Speaking at the weekend, Martin O’Neill addressed the Reo Hatate situation but unfortunately wasn’t asked about the Portuguese midfielder who under recently was the captain of the National U21 side.
Martin O’Neill hints at a loss of confidence
“Reo is a fine footballer,” Martin O’Neill observed, as reported by Daily Record. “I think two seasons ago he’d be one of the best in Scotland, really.
“Midfield players tend to go through these little periods where you can’t do anything wrong. But you make three or four mistakes in a match in relatively quick succession, and then you lose a bit of confidence and things like that.
“But he’ll be around at this minute. You’re hoping that the competition for places… you’ve got Arne coming back now from injury, and you’ve got Alex trying to get up to speed all the time and making an impact.
Not been easy for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
“Even if he (Oxlade-Chamberlain) never kicked another ball for us, he’s won two matches for us by scoring the goals. Part of me is actually quite pleased that it’s been hard for players to pick up the speed here, because sometimes people think (Scottish football) will be easy.”
Martin was told about Brendan Rodgers once admitting that Hatate could frustrate the life out of him with his loose play in the middle of the park.
”I’m pleading the fifth on that one,” Martin O’Neill said diplomatically.
Yes Reo had an afternoon to forget at Tannadice, but it was Martin O’Neill who moved him to right back rather than bringing Anthony Ralston on. And remember the league match at Ibrox when Hatate came on at the interval and turned the game on its head and got Celtic an unlikely point.
Reo Hatate is indeed a fine footballer. Hopefully we’ve not seen the last of him in a Celtic shirt but it does seem that both him and indeed Paulo Bernardo will be part of he summer transition at Celtic Park.
READ THIS ON CELTIC SHORTS…“Goal Celtic – The scorer, number 38, Daizen, Daizen, Daizen….” Maeda
