Celtic booked their Scottish Cup final ticket against Aberdeen by seeing off St Johnstone at Hampden on Sunday.
Only a fortnight ago, Celtic were beaten at St Johnstone in the Premiership, so whilst they were favourites in this semi-final clash, the team and Brendan Rodgers were wary of their opponents.
It was a quiet opening, but as soon as the Treble-chasers got going, it was one-way traffic, in terms of goals and pure dominance from Rodgers’ side.
But then captain Callum McGregor opened the scoring in the 34th minute, and by the time the teams were heading in for the break, Celtic were leading 4-0 and cooking their opponents to defeat.
Reo Hatate managed to help himself to a hat-trick of assists inside 45 minutes, and his performance got a lot of people talking.
- READ MORE: Reo Hatate is aiming for a career first at Hampden as Celtic hero reveals surprising stat
Celtic fans laud Reo Hatate’s performance after Scottish Cup semi-final win vs St Johnstone
Hatate could have axed the last time Celtic faced St Johnstone, but he remained in the XI, and now he is proving why he is so loved by the fans.
The Japan star played just over an hour, and the supporters expressed how he is a joy to watch when he is singing and dancing in this way.
Yes, it does frustrate some when the consistency is lacking, but as the fans mentioned, when Hatate is on top, there is hardly anyone in Scotland who can stop him.
@Bricky67_ on Hatate’s first-half brilliance: ‘Hat trick of assists for Reo Hatate in this first half. This is the Hatate we’re used to’.
@madebyfrankie also referenced the assists: ‘Hatate is an absolute assist machine’.
What a record, as @ferg88_ added: ‘Hatate first player to get 3 assists in a Scottish cup semi final never mind just the first half’.
@celtic_jaime hailed Hatate’s performance: ‘Reo Hatate is an outstanding player as I mentioned a week ago and he’s been outstanding today so far’.
@annemarie6377 thinks it was a stroll: ‘Hatate strolling about the park and Celtic cantering. What a lovely way to spend a Sunday’.
@AidenK_23 continued the praise: ‘Hatate sensational with 3 assists man absolute menace’.
@nao16277199 explained the joy of watching Hatate in action: ‘REO Hatate is conductor of an orchestra. He is controlling the pitch♪ Daizen maeda is a real samurai, he suddenly appears from behind, watch out’.
@elizabethc78 lauded the unplayable duo in midfield: ‘Hatate and McGregor are unplayable. Running the show’.
@Champions_67 added: ‘Hatate has been absolutely magnificent’.
@Davidc2508 thinks Hatate has been hitting serious form: ‘Last 2 games Hatate has been on another level btw’.
@CelticCSCPride lauded the Japan midfielder: ‘Take a bow Reo Hatate, what a game you’ve had.’
@ChristyD94 wants more consistency: ‘Hatate in this form is excellent. Wish he was more consistent’.
@Socialist_1989 compared Hatate to Engels: ‘Hatate compared to Engels though. Night and day.’.
Hatate’s stats for Celtic this season
There aren’t many better to watch than Hatate when he is in full flow, and he has produced some of his best this season.
Go back to Celtic’s win over RB Leipzig in the Champions League, and now the performance in the semi-final.
As Celtic push for the Treble, Hatate is looking to add another one of those to his cabinet, and what a season he is having…AGAIN!
| Tournament | Apps | Mins | Goals | Assists | MotM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premiership | 24(9) | 2133 | 9 | 4 | 3 |
| Champions League | 9(1) | 787 | 1 | 2 | – |
| League Cup | 4 | – | – | – | – |
| FA Cup | 2(1) | – | – | 3 | – |
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