ALEX’S ANGLE: TIME TO CONCENTRATE ON CELTIC, REO

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IT’S ALL wonderfully commendable that Reo Hatate is quite happy to travel from here to Timbuktu – or, more accurately, Jeddah – to sit on a substitutes’ bench to get a good view of Japan in action.

There is no place for the midfielder in manager Hajime Moriyasu’s plans, but there are no complaints from the player who continues to clock up the air miles.

Obviously, his nation is near and dear to Reo’s heart and I applaud him for that admirable attitude.

However, I would urge the 26-year-old playmaker to take time off from his wearisome travel schedule to focus a little bit more on what is happening closer to Glasgow.

I have no intention of stirring up a club v country debate as I fear the inevitable outcome of such a confrontation. And I am not suggesting even for a heartbeat that Celtic’s cause is being dismissed by a genuine professional.

ON THE BALL…Reo Hatate surges into attack during his time on the pitch against Ross County.

However, there is little doubt what you and I are witnessing at the moment is a watered-down version of the illuminating, vibrant individual who made such a dynamic first appearance with a Man of the Match show in a 2-0 victory over Hibs at Parkhead on January 17 2022.

It was a real eye-opening display from a virtual unknown signed for a paltry £1million from J-League champions Kawasaki Frontale who was an immediate hit with the home support. That was the textbook way to make a first impression.

Hatate completed the campaign on a high as he played a pivotal role in the club winning back the crown following the previous season’s major fall from grace after a mesmerising nine-in-a-row sequence.

Two first-half goals in a 3-0 derby triumph on February 2 piloted Celtic to the Premiership pinnacle for the first time in 18 long, arduous months.

Acknowledging that Hatate does not have a large S emblazoned on the chest of his shirt, it was inevitable the player, despite his many gifts, could not possibly continue to perform at such a plateau.

Last time out, Hatate started a mere 17 of Celtic’s 50 games. He completed only TWO of his overall 21 outings.

It was a frustrating campaign for the skilful operator after contributing just three goals – one a penalty-kick – in the champions’ league and Cup-winning crusade.

Hatate was bedevilled by hamstring and calf problems in a campaign that was a bit of a write off. His woe was highlighted under the lights in the east end of Glasgow on October 15 last year during the Champions League match against Atletico Madrid.

SITTING IT OUT…Reo Hatate takes a breather.

Only seven minutes had been played when the player slumped to the ground. He cut a sad figure as he was helped off the pitch. His anguish was there for all to see that evening as he exited an encounter in Europe’s most prestigious competition, the perfect setting for a performer blessed with his skills.

Thankfully, Hatate did return to action as the season neared its climax and played in all five of the games after the league split, completing two encounters – the 2-1 win over Dundee at Dens Park and the 5-0 triumph over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park when Brendan Rodgers’ men  sealed their third successive crown and their twelfth in 13 years.

However, there was a stern rebuke for the industrious middle-of-the-park operator from his manager after the crucial 2-1 victory over Philippe Clement’s Ibrox side at Parkhead on May 11.

Hatate was hooked for his compatriot Tomoki Iwata before the end and Rodgers explained: “My message at 2-1 was to keep the ball and manage the game.

“That’s why Reo Hatate came off. He’s a big talent, but he gives the ball away too much for my liking.

“As a midfielder, you have to control the game. You have to show love for the ball and take care of it. It was too loose and sloppy. The game became more tense than it should have been.”

Hatate picked up the gauntlet at the launch of the current campaign as he rifled in the club’s first goal in the 4-0 romp against Kilmarnock on Flag Day in Paradise on August 4.

REO GRAND…St Mirren keeper Ellery Bascombe is helpless as Reo Hatate whips a low drive into the net for Celtic’s second goal in the 3-0 win in Paisley in August. 

He whipped in another unstoppable low drive in the 3-0 success over St Mirren in Paisley three weeks later and all looked to be going according to plan as he clearly attempted to make up for lost time.

However, the midfield man has yet to complete a full 90 minutes in Celtic’s 11 games this term and was left out of the starting line-up for back-to-back clashes – the 6-0 win over St Johnstone in Perth and the 7-1 collapse against Borussia Dortmund in Germany three days later.

He returned to kick off against Ross County in Dingwall last weekend, but was worryingly ineffectual before being replaced by Luke McCowan just after the hour mark with the visitors failing to function and trailing by a goal.
Hatate was a spectator as the Hoops turned the game on its head to seal their seventh successive league victory to remain in pole position by dint of their superior goal difference over a dogged and revitalised Aberdeen who will provide the opposition at Parkhead a week today as the league restarts following the international break.
Will Hatate get the nod to be in at the start? It is probably a matter of complete indifference to the Celtic support if their player comes out of his country’s cold storage to play in the World Cup qualifier against Australia in Saitama on Tuesday.
It may be a concern for the management, though, that the player will have to fly 5,790 from Japan to return to Scotland which will mean he will have clocked up 29,393 miles in the last month.
Once Hatate gets his head out of the clouds, hopefully he can train his thoughts on all things Celtic.
They are his paymasters, after all.
ALEX GORDON
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