Reo Hatate’s Celtic situation is becoming harder to ignore.
The Japanese midfielder was once again an unused substitute at Easter Road on Sunday as Celtic fought their way to a huge 2-1 win over Hibernian.
For Martin O’Neill, it was another afternoon where the priority was simply getting the result. Celtic did that, with Kelechi Iheanacho coming off the bench to score the winner and keep the Hoops right in the title race.
But Hatate’s lack of involvement is now a story in itself.
He has been an unused substitute in Celtic’s last three games. His last league appearance came against St Mirren on 11 April, when he came on late. By the time Celtic face Rangers at Celtic Park this Sunday, it will be close to a month since Hatate has played any meaningful football.
That is a striking place for him to be.
A couple of seasons ago, Hatate would have been spoken about as one of the best midfielders in Scotland. At his best, he had the imagination, speed of thought and technical quality to change games from the middle of the park.
Now, he looks like a player on the outside of O’Neill’s plans.
Arne Engels has returned from injury and appears to have become an automatic pick under the interim boss. Callum McGregor remains the captain and midfield anchor. Benjamin Nygren, named Celtic Player of the Year on Sunday night, has provided goals that have been absolutely invaluable during a difficult campaign.
That appears to be the settled trio for now.
The debate comes with what Celtic need over these final three games.
Nygren’s goals have been hugely important, and nobody can seriously dismiss that. Goals from midfield are gold dust in a title race. But when he is not scoring, there has been criticism from some supporters over what he brings to the overall rhythm of the side.
That has led to calls for other options to be considered.
At the moment, Hatate does not appear to be one of them.
O’Neill has previously hinted that Hatate may have lost some of the sharpness and edge that once made him such a standout figure in Celtic’s midfield. It was not a brutal public takedown, but it was telling enough. The manager does not appear to see the same player who once dictated games with a swagger.
There is also the wider picture.
It is no secret that Hatate could move on in the summer. With Celtic fighting for a league title, O’Neill may simply be leaning towards the players he believes are most locked in, most reliable, and most hungry for the fight directly in front of them.
Reo Hatate vs Rangers
Even so, it would be wrong to pretend Hatate has nothing left to offer.
His performance at Ibrox earlier this season showed that. With Celtic 2-0 down against Rangers, Hatate came on and helped change the flow of the game as the Hoops battled back to draw 2-2. That was not ancient history. It was proof that, if trusted, he can still affect a huge match.
And now another huge match is coming.
Rangers visit Celtic Park this Sunday in a game that could shape the title race. O’Neill knows exactly what’s at stake, and he will also know that Celtic cannot afford passengers. Every selection call will be magnified.
Hatate’s talent has never been the issue. The question is whether the manager trusts him enough right now.
Three unused substitute appearances in a row suggest the answer is not encouraging.
But with three games left and everything still on the line, Celtic may yet need one more big Reo Hatate moment before this season is done.
There was footage of Celtic over with the Green Brigade after the home win v St. Mirren. Hatate is 10 yards away fom the group with an attempt at applause that looked like an effort.
we know hes been sell himself to epl that wont happen with O’Neill wants players for Celtic not just show case games he cant be trusted he tries to dribble ball outside his box and gets caught Engels has his posistion and his running strength is needed but im suprised he is not on as sub but theres no cert that he the now is better than McGowan not much between them but O’Neill trusts McGowan thats it some players before O’Neill came back i think got games to raise there transfer your no good to O’Neill hes to win games im sure thars what happen to Rodgers he was upping the transfer fee of certain players players know what O’Neill about and never stop running i doubt theres arguments that happen when the no fan league yes there were four players selling themselve it was hard for then manager more expeirenced manager would not have named names i just hope they come back to Celtic park abd the fans will tell them the manager was thrown under the bus yes the Scottish media hated him but he still comes back to Celtic park Scottish media done the same with the bunnet then the truth came out and what a welcome he got some fans can be fickle lenny will always have a place im my heart he was not protected by some fans the law of the land and sfa
been struggling far too long now.