EXACTLY A YEAR ago, Reo Hatate was on the substitutes’ bench when Brendan Rodgers kicked off his second coming as Celtic manager.
The champions were due to play Ross County in the Premiership opener at Parkhead and David Turnbull was given the nod ahead of the Japanese ace.
The Scotland international midfielder repaid the returning gaffer’s faith with two goals in his first start in NINE months as the Hoops triumphed 4-2 against the gallant Highlanders.
Hatate was a bit-part player in proceedings and had to be content with a 67th-minute appearance when he replaced star of the show Turnbull.
Contrast the fortunes of both gifted operators 12 months down the line.
BY THE RIGHT…Reo Hatate prepares to fire in Celtic’s first goal of the season in the 4-0 win over Kilmarnock on Flag Day at Parkhead.
Turnbull was sold to English second-tier side Cardiff City for £2million in January – and Hatate was Man of the Match after a breathtaking performance against bewildered Killie.
The spotlight-hugging presentation also included sweeping in the first goal of the season for the hosts on Flag Day with an impeccably-executed right-foot drive from just inside the box that arrowed low past keeper Robby McCrorie at his right.
Liam Scales, Nicolas Kuhn and Anthony Ralston joined in the goal parade as Scotland’s title kings – now in pursuit of their 55th crown – got the green party started.
A beaming Rodgers showered praise upon the all-action middle-of-the-park performer whose previous season had been decimated with injury problems.
The Hoops gaffer said: “I think from what I’ve seen over the course of pre-season, he’s top class. For whatever reason, I didn’t see the player that I hoped to see at the beginning of last season.
THAT’S MY BHOY…Brendan Rodgers embraces Reo Hatate last season.
“I was aware of him, I’d seen him play and I liked what I’d seen. But he never really got going through pre-season last year. And not to what I was wanting. He got injured and then it was really broken for him.
“He had little spells where he came into the team, but not consistently. But he’s come back pre-season now and, obviously, how the season ended, there’s that confidence.
“He knows I like him as a player and he knows what I want from him as a player. I’d hoped I could see that last season.
“But it doesn’t matter. He’s here now and he’s been absolutely brilliant since his comeback. So, I’m really pleased for him.”
Asked if Hatate’s attitude had altered since this time last year, Rodgers answered: “No, I just think it’s probably him maybe gaining a bit more clarity around what I want from a central midfield player.
“I want all the players to do their very best for Celtic. And then that ambition to do well for Celtic will help them in their individual careers.
CURTAIN’S UP…Reo Hatate admires his handiwork as his low drive whizzes past the diving Killie keeper.
“So, for me, it was always about balance. There was always a wonderful, gifted player in how he takes the ball and how he operates in space. For me, it was about keeping the risk in the game.”
Rodgers, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “I don’t like midfield players who keep the ball 10 times out of 10. It’s no good. But there are areas of the pitch in which to risk it.
“I think now he really sees the balance in the game between keeping the ball, keeping good concentration, linking the game, but still having the threat.
“You would have seen that in pre-season, you would have seen it at times in the second half of last season.
“But now I see a much more complete player.”
UNSTOPPABLE AS CHAMPS RUN AMOK
