Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers was full of praise for Hoops midfielder Reo Hatate, who played the vital pass through to Adam Idah, helping seal a place in the Champions League knockout playoffs.
With the game level and just 4 minutes left, Hatate played an ambitious through ball, as he so often does. With the game finely balanced, his willingness to take a risk helped Celtic win. While Idah was unable to score, his effort fortunately fell to Loris Benito, with the Young Boys defender accidentally putting the ball into his own net.
On a night where Celtic had three goals ruled out for offside and a penalty missed, to say the own goal was a fair reflection of the game would be an understatement. The Hoops deserved to win more comfortably; however, they didn’t give up, and a win never looked in doubt, with the confidence they showed in continuing to push and not letting their heads drop—something that has been a problem for them in Europe over the last decade.
With Rodgers rightly happy with the win and the performance, he pointed to the pass from Reo Hatate in the 86th minute.
Rodgers said: (TNT Sports), “Winning is what’s important. I thought it was an excellent performance. First half, we were so good but that bit of luck was missing.
“I thought we were such a threat in the first half and pressed the game so well. This is Champions League level though, the opposition are going to come out and have some ball.
“For the winning goal, we got luck on the final finish which I think we deserved after the first half, but the composure to take the ball from the keeper in the 85th minute, work it side-to-side and then what a pass by Reo [Hatate], it’s absolutely incredible.
“I don’t know what incredible is in Japanese but it was unbelievable! Then we need to see the game out down to 10 men so we adjust. Really pleased for the boys.”
Hatate showed why he is given more time than others in the team, as he can come up with that moment of brilliance that wins games like tonight. He often fails to keep the game simple, but when he plays at his best, there is no stopping the Hoops midfielder, as Young Boys found out tonight when he was afforded space and time late in the game.
No one in the Celtic team can do what Hatate does, and although supporters may not see it week in and week out, and he can cut a frustrating figure at times, he showed when it counted in the Champions League at Celtic Park why he has become such a fan favourite over the last 3 years.
