Callum McGregor believes Celtic know exactly how to unlock the best version of Reo Hatate.
The midfielder has taken his share of criticism this season. There were games where he drifted and others where he forced passes that were not on. For a player who set high standards in previous campaigns, the dip was clear.
Yet in the last two matches, away to Stuttgart and off the bench at Ibrox, Hatate looked like himself again. Against Rangers, he changed the tempo. He demanded the ball and drove Celtic up the pitch when they were 2-0 down.
Part of that came down to role. At Ibrox, Hatate operated deeper at times alongside McGregor. Benjamin Nygren pushed slightly higher, which allowed Hatate to collect from the back line and carry the ball forward. From there, he dictated play rather than chasing it.
McGregor said: (TCW), “He’s a player that, you know, can do special things.
“When he comes in and he plays the way he does today then you see him, he’s a real high-level player and you have to stay on top of him all the time to get the best out him.
“And I think the last two games, Stuttgart and today, he was outstanding.
“So if that’s him just starting to creep (up) in terms of levels and for sure we will need everyone at their best, but especially a player like him, he’s a special player and if you can get him firing then he’s a real asset.”
The shift in position mattered. When Hatate starts deeper, he can see the game in front of him. He can pick his moments to drive through midfield instead of receiving with his back to goal.
Against Rangers, that changed the match. Celtic stopped forcing it long. They built through the centre. Hatate carried the ball into space and Rangers had to retreat.
For a player who has had a patchy season, that performance felt like a reset. If Celtic keep him in that role and involved from the first whistle, they give themselves a better chance in the run-in, especially if he can find consistency, starting on Wednesday at Pittodrie against Aberdeen.
