BBC pundit wowed by Celtic’s ‘great find’ who can play at the ‘very top’ in England

Add as preferred source on Google

Normal service has resumed for Celtic and Brendan Rodgers in recent weeks.

The Celtic manager was pretty unhappy with that previous display in Perth and deserved defeat in the Premiership, but it’s fair to say that lightning was never going to strike twice.

Celtic thrashed St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden and booked a final ticket with Jimmy Thelin’s Aberdeen after they needed extra time to see off Hearts.

After a quiet half an hour, as soon as captain Callum McGregor got the ball rolling after 34 minutes, it was pure destruction from the Treble-chasers.

By the half-time break, Celtic were 4-0 up, the game was done, the final ticket was booked, and Reo Hatate had managed to pencil down three assists to his name.

On his day, there aren’t many better performers than Hatate, and he was given his flowers for his latest performance.

• READ MORE: Fans will love the iconic win over Rangers that makes Celtic hero Reo Hatate ‘most happy’

Reo Hatate can play for ‘any top team in Europe’

When Hatate is on it, he is simply unstoppable, and no team or individual in Scotland can stop him, as he has also shown that quality in the Champions League.

Allan Preston lauded the 27-year-old as a ‘phenomenal’ player, as Celtic cruised to a win over St Johnstone, and how he has been a ‘real good find’ by the club.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, Preston stated that Rodgers told him how Hatate has the ability to play for ‘any top team in Europe’.

“Hatate is, another one, I might speak to Brendan Rodgers about him,” said Preston. “He thinks that he has got the ability to play in the very top level of England, if he wants.

“Any top team in Europe, he can go and play. His consistency when it gets too easy for him. That’s when he, sometimes, switches off, but he is a phenomenal player. You can see that. He is a brilliant football player, and a real good find by Celtic.”

Hatate’s Celtic future

With that quality at his feet, and Celtic always listening to any big offers that are put on the table, it’s going to be interesting to see what happens with his future in the summer.

Celtic fans would love to keep the Japan star because, on his day, he can run amok and win any type of game for the club.

With seven trophies to his name in Scotland, he has every chance to add two more before the season is out, secure another Treble, and write his name further into the history books.