Reo Hatate has once again shown his class at Celtic Park, scoring a brilliant brace in the 5-1 win over Kilmarnock this afternoon. With his two goals, Hatate has now surpassed his previous best goal tally for a season, reaching 10 goals in 50 appearances, which tops his previous best of 9 goals in 45 appearances during the 2022/23 season under Ange Postecoglou.

The midfielder’s first goal came early in the game, just 9 minutes in, with a stunning strike from outside the box. Hatate’s right-footed shot from around 25 yards out flew into the top-right corner, leaving Kilmarnock’s goalkeeper with no chance.

It was a goal that not only showed his ability from long range but also set the tone for what was to come. Hatate’s confident finish was a reminder of just how lethal he can be when given the space to strike.

His second came in the 24th minute, following some excellent play down the right from Alistair Johnston. Johnston whipped in a low ball to the centre of the Killie box, where Hatate showed great composure, side-stepping a Kilmarnock defender before calmly finishing from close range. It was a well-taken goal, the result of smart positioning and quick thinking in the box.

Along with his two goals, Hatate also assisted Anthony Ralston late in the game, showing his all-around play. In the 87th minute, Hatate picked out Ralston with a precise pass down the right. Ralston then calmly cut inside and scored, securing the 5-1 win. It was a great example of Hatate’s ability to set up his teammates and his unselfish style of play. This assist, along with his goals, made him one of the standout players of the game.

This performance showed just how important Hatate is to Celtic’s midfield. His energy, vision, and ability to score are key to the team.

As the season nears its final few weeks, Hatate’s form will be crucial in Celtic’s push for the domestic treble. If he continues playing like this, he’ll further add to what is already a great Celtic legacy.