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Reo Hatate is not in favor of the start. Now, in the end he could be a golden boy.
Hatate and Callum McGregor are Scotland’s two most productive midfielders. If Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers can get them fit and shoot for the steal, it will be a monumental boost for the reigning champions at a very productive time. Hatate has been through a terrible season. He was my player of the year last season because of his skill and his ability to make things happen with his excellence.
I was intrigued early in the season when Rodgers sidelined him in favor of David Turnbull. As I said at the time, it will have to have been a factor of fitness or his way of thinking because, with all due respect, there is no way Turnbull would have been in a starting line-up ahead of the Japanese. When the Premiership started only on the basis of ability.
Things got worse from there with that injury on the second weekend of the season in Aberdeen, claiming him for another long period. I think Celtic played their most productive game of the season in the short term in October when Hatate got back here at full speed.
Rodgers had conversations with him that seemed to work out. They notably faced Kilmarnock at home and Hearts away and the team’s performances were up to the task. He raised the levels, but he was sidelined by some other injury against Atletico Madrid and we noticed it slightly. since.
Hatatate’s injury in the Asian Cup is just one more headache in Celtic’s long line this season and, of course, they will have to keep an eye on him. But that appearance in a midweek rebound game is huge, as I’m convinced that his absence is a huge one.
Rodgers attempted mid-park roles without Hatate, while McGregor and Matt O’Riley had to do the heavy lifting. Turnbull got that first chance and the fact that he just wasn’t up to the task showed when he left for Cardiff. in January.
Odin Thiago Holm never started with a red card against Feyenoord, followed by a succession of missed chances in the prize. Paulo Bernardo gave hope that he could fill the void and there was an era around festive gatherings in which he looked at the paper.
However, the Portuguese have not started since the mid-season break as Celtic would have liked and Tomoki Iwata now has the job.
He’s also looked pretty clean in recent games and played well against St Johnstone seven days ago, but he’s nowhere near the point of influence that Harate possesses.
Losing McGregor was another kick for Rodgers, especially over time. Celtic had conceded their merit at the top of the table, but an opportunity to regain it presented itself with a surprise defeat at Rangers at home to Motherwell. Rodgers and his team had a chance to regain the title lead the next day against Hearts at Tynecastle, but without McGregor they failed to take it, although of course the red card to Hyunjun Yang and the bizarre VAR calls made the game playful. Gorgie’s move had an effect on the final result.
Unlike last season, when McGregor missed key games, Celtic didn’t have Aaron Mooy to fill the void or Hatate. The captain is very valuable and some enthusiasts only see his true value when he is not in the team. He’s an exceptional footballer and he does a lot to bring the whole team together.
He and O’Riley had to leave for three responsibilities in the early part of the season and it took its toll. The Denmark foreigner is holding the fort, but the opportunity to reunite with his teammates will also give him a dose of power. their game.
Kyogo Furuhashi looked more like himself last weekend in the win over Craig Levin’s team and would gain immense advantages if his compatriot returned to the team. I saw a passage of the game in that St Johnstone game when the striker made a brilliant run that went straight through the visitors’ defence.
Had Iwata seen the pass, Kyopass would have had time to pass behind the goalkeeper and pick his spot. Unfortunately for Celtic, he didn’t see it, but you can bet your newest piece, Hatate, would have seen it. It’s not Iwata, it’s just a fact. Celtic’s speed and fluidity of play will skyrocket if Hatate and McGrepassr get back together.
Keep Kyopass in shape, keep Cameron Carter-Vickers in shape and add that the midfielder trio and Rodgers could make it into the final two months with a varied hand as hard as the one he held during his tenure. Potentially, if Celtic manage to go further in the Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen, there are still 10 games left in the season.
Each of them promises to be great and great players will be needed. Having them all at his disposal until the end of May would be the best time for him. The equation is pretty undeniable for Celtic. Win Livingston’s remaining 10 games below. weekend and the Premiership and Scottish Cup double will be theirs.
It’s a great time and it requires stars who can make it happen. Hatate and McGregor are two other people who can shine brighter than anyone else in the country.