In a straightforward yet significant match at St Mirren’s stadium, Celtic secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over the home side.
Yet, the highlight of the evening was not the scoreline but the long-awaited return of Reo Hatate. The Japanese midfielder, sidelined since September, was introduced as a late substitute, marking his first appearance in months.
The match, while seemingly routine for Celtic, held a deeper resonance with the return of Hatate. His journey back to fitness and the pitch has been a topic of much discussion among fans. As the final whistle blew, the focus shifted from the victory to an emotional moment between Brendan Rodgers and the returning hero.
Approaching Hatate, Rodgers offered more than just a customary handshake. The embrace shared between the manager and player was one of genuine warmth and relief, a silent acknowledgement of the challenges overcome and the battles ahead.
Rodgers, known for his close rapport with players, conveyed a wealth of emotion in that gesture. For Hatate, the embrace symbolised a welcome back into the fold, an affirmation of his value to the team.
As Celtic fans celebrate the win and the return of their midfielder, the image of Rodgers and Hatate sharing a heartfelt moment is a good way to sign off for the first half of this season. We now get to draw breath and build on what we’ve achieved so far this campaign.
