Reo Hatate has dropped down the pecking order quite dramatically over the past few games.
From being a regular starter in the Hoops, the Japanese player is now struggling to get off the bench.
He’s not featured for Celtic since the 17-minute cameo he got against St Mirren on April 17th, sitting on the bench ever since.
It’s a strange situation. If you cast your mind back to the 2-2 draw with Rangers, he came off the bench and made the difference, and, near enough, single-handedly dragged Celtic back into the match.
So even if he wasn’t starting week in, week out, you’d expect him to get some minutes from the bench.
Martin O’Neill has said that he is one of the players who could have a part to play as Celtic chase their fifth successive league title.
He could count on the midfielder’s experience, having been a title winner before.
He told the Herald:
“Of course, he could come in.
“I wouldn’t rule anyone out from the viewpoint that they have been in these situations before. Reo has been in them and I wouldn’t rule it out.”
Celtic will have a close eye on Sky Sports tonight. That game, almost, feels just as important as Celtic’s derby tomorrow. Motherwell host Hearts at 8 pm, and the Lanarkshire side will be looking to get at the league leaders, after the last meeting left a sour taste in their mouth.
Celtic will then play Rangers tomorrow. It really is a must-win no matter the result tonight. Anything but a win, and Hearts could win the league midweek.
