Reo Hatate is like Celtic transfer recruit for Brendan Rodgers as 4 traits covered by star on return
The Hoops have missed the midfielder due to injury and Japan duty but he will arrive back from Asian Cup duty like a new signing.
Reo Hatate will not return before the deadline.
Though Celtic supporters continue to hold out hope for elite additions, the Japanese is one sophisticated addition that will undoubtedly raise Brendan Rodgers’ stats. Even though Hatet may not play for Japan in their Asian Cup semifinal matchup against Bahrain, he will immediately be added to Rodgers’ roster upon his return and will be treated like a double-digit million dollar signing when he shows up. The champions can’t wait for it to arrive.
Whatever the initial issue was, Rodgers chose to select David Turnbull ahead of him prior to Hatate missing a month due to a hamstring injury. Upon his initial return, the playmaker gradually began to shift through the gears. And his team did, too, right then.
The 26-year-old’s beautiful little movement, surging run and thrilling finish kickstarted an impressive 3-1 win over Kilmarnock. Two more October games with Japan against Canada and Tunisia fine-tuned his fitness and Hatate returned to soar at Tynecastle.
Celtic’s best domestic performance of this season came in Gorgie when they hammered Hearts 4-1. The speed,
the motion and the cutting edge. At the center of it all was hate. Although he did miss a penalty during the romp, it appears that all Celtic players these days have to fumble a shot from 12 yards.
Hatate’s breakaway move past attackers and into the penalty box set up Daizen Maeda’s goal. Kyogo Furuhashi struck the goal with a fantastic flick and lung-bursting charge to get the return pass.
He and Celtic were back to their best, but in just three days, they both went boom. Everything vanished once more. Hatate hobbled off against Atletico Madrid after just seven minutes, spending the next three months out of the game.
Every player in world football gets better when they are absent, yet it’s a fact with Hatate. He’s a Celtic star turn and some of his key traits are exactly what they have been missing during some flat shows without him.
Not only will he bring his own flair and energy, what Hatate’s return will also do is likely spark his pal Kyogo Furuhasi into top gear again. During the Ange Postecoglou era, the understanding and combination play of the pair was a joy to watch.
Kyogo comes alive when Hatate is around because he knows that, when he makes his trademark little darts or
pulls away from the final defender’s shoulder, the midfield player is prepared to spring him since they are already in agreement. This season, O’Riley and the hitman have been able to come to a similar understanding, which has been essential to several of his goals. Kyogo’s two goals in the Champions League were both the result of the Dane’s first-time through balls and silky touch and vision.
However, Hatate will significantly increase that, and Kyogo is undoubtedly counting down the minutes before his countryman disembarks at Glasgow Airport. Hatate’s career progress has been halted by the injuries, after reaching new heights the previous season. It’s time to depart, though. He is getting close to reaching his prime at the age of 26.
