While individuals lacking in tolerance and comprehension made foolish remarks over Arne Engels’ performance versus Club Brugge, a fairly unsettling performance by Reo Hatate seemed to go unnoticed.
The Japanese midfielder has my utmost admiration. It was nothing short of spectacular to get off to such a strong start in a new nation as he did in January 2022.
Hatate entered the game against Hibs, looked like he had played for Celtic his entire life, and was rightfully named Man of the Match. The home team won 2-0, and the newcomer continued to play at an exceptionally high level until the very end of Ange Postecoglou’s thrilling, dramatic, and ultimately successful debut season.
In a thrilling 3-0 victory beneath the lights in Glasgow’s east end, you and I both cheered the international playmaker’s double goal against Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Ibrox club. This victory put the team in top place in the Premiership for the first time in a year and a half.
On February 2, that stunning display illuminated a freezing, toe-numbing evening. Surprisingly, Hatate has only played four games for the Hoops.
In order to make amends for the previous miserable crusade, Ange’s team persevered and won the club’s eleventh title in eleven years.
But that was then, and this is now, my reader.
Hatate has been inconsistent lately, so I was shocked that he played more than ninety minutes against the Belgians.
His midfield sidekick was giving up possession at a startling rate, while other idiots were foolishly angry about the £11 million deal.
He had the opportunity to cost the team twice in the first half after being caught dallying on the ball once and then making a poor pass that was saved by the last-ditch efforts of Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Hatate staggered through the altercation, delivering a slew of misdirected passes that I didn’t believe such a skilled ball artist could make.
His final ball touch encapsulated a clumsy, bungling performance. Paulo Bernardo picked out his teammate completely untouched on the box’s edge after sweeping over a flawless right-wing corner kick.
The well-trained Belgians were exposed for one of the few times during the evening, and it was a move right out of the training field.
Yes, I am well aware that catching such a ball on the volley with precise accuracy and slamming it squarely on goal is a very challenging challenge for a player.
Even though Hatate is a great example of class, his performance on Wednesday was so poor that it nearly went right back to his Portuguese teammate at the corner flag.
I wasn’t shocked at all. We have all had the privilege of seeing some amazing displays of genius and brilliance from a person endowed with incredible abilities, thus it hurts me to write that.
If Hatate doesn’t play against Ross County this afternoon at Parkhead, I won’t be overly upset.
According to reliable sources, the Japanese ace is one of those players who refuses to rest. He is determined to fulfil his role and demands to be included.
All of that is admirable and very encouraging, but sometimes the mind must control the heart.
This afternoon is undoubtedly an opportunity for Luke McCowan to demonstrate his abilities to the team in the coming weeks and months, but I doubt Brendan Rodgers needs your humble scribe’s counsel on team selection.
For his multi-skilled teammate, a little relaxation and recovery might be the necessary remedy.
Despite Reo’s strong disagreement, we all know it makes sense.
