In a candid admission, Celtic’s midfield dynamo Reo Hatate revealed that he had been merely coasting through much of the current season. His frankness came in the wake of a stellar performance against Kilmarnock at the weekend, a match where he not only scored a sublime opener but exhibited an all-round game that was both sharp and exhilarating to witness.
“At the beginning of the season, I had an injury. After I came back, I did like the minimum job. Rather than that, I have to do my maximum performance like against Kilmarnock.” Reo told SunSport. Doing that, hopefully I can contribute more to the team,” Hatate explained, reflecting on his early-season struggles that were exacerbated by an unfortunate calf injury sustained at Aberdeen on August 13.
His words carried a hint of promise and a renewed resolve, particularly when asked if his recent display felt closer to his best. Responding via an interpreter, Hatate admitted, “Yes. That was better. Even though I had difficult times, this can be a turning point for me — and hopefully I can perform very well. It’s definitely not always good times. Sometimes you are kind of down and you have to work hard to go up. This game was a good opportunity for me.”
The summer had seen fervent discussions regarding a potential move orchestrated by his former mentor, Ange Postecoglou, to transition the 25-year-old midfielder to Spurs. Despite the circulating rumours, Hatate, a bargain £1million signing 18 months ago, endured a spell on the sidelines following his injury.
The whispers didn’t stop at potential transfers. There were inklings that Hatate and Rodgers weren’t on the same page, as other players seemingly leapfrogged the Japanese maestro in the pecking order. Yet, Hatate was quick to dispel any notions of behind-the-scenes discord.
When probed about his motivations for extending his stay with Celtic till 2028, a jovial Hatate remarked, “Because the money goes up! No, putting jokes to the side, speaking to the manager and speaking about the future plans. I’m convinced about his plan and I thought I can improve myself under this manager.”
Hatate’s renewed commitment to Celtic, coupled with his candid self-reflection, paints a picture of a player ready to confront the challenges head-on. His dazzling performance against Kilmarnock is perhaps a harbinger of the stellar contributions Celtic fans can anticipate from him. Hatate’s journey, marred by injuries and rumours, now takes a promising turn, and the Celtic faithful are sure to be watching with bated breath as he embarks on this new chapter in his Celtic saga.
