It could be argued that it’s the story of Reo Hatate’s Celtic career.
When it comes to the big games, the big occasions, whether it’s the Champions League or against Rangers, Hatate is one of Celtic’s best performers.
But time and time again, the midfield maestro has failed to produce that high-quality play consistently, and now he finds himself firmly stuck on the bench.
As Martin O’Neill, leading up to Celtic’s game against Hibernian on Sunday, hasn’t even used Hatate off the bench in recent matches, Andy Halliday is certain that when the Rangers game comes along, he will feature.
Si Ferry: “Martin O’Neill said, ‘Hatate still has a role to play in the run-in.’ But do you think we will see him? Doesn’t look like it.”
Halliday: “He will play against Rangers, though. Aye, he will come on against Rangers, won’t he?”
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It could be argued that Hatate’s best performance of the season was against Rangers at Ibrox, when he came off the bench to rescue a point.
Looking back on that now, and how this chaotic three-way title race is unfolding, that was a huge point for the Hoops.
But after Celtic’s trip to Easter Road on Sunday, it’s the small matter of the final Glasgow derby of the season at Parkhead.
Even if Hatate remains on the bench against Hibs and isn’t used, Halliday still expects him to play his part against Rangers on May 10.
This is despite others on the Open Goal panel, such as Celtic-mad Paul Slane, questioning if the Japan star is now needed, given that Arne Engels has returned to action.
Si Ferry: “Martin O’Neill said, ‘Hatate still has a role to play in the run-in.’ But do you think we will see him? Doesn’t look like it.”
Paul Slane: “Nah. In the Rangers game, he came on and changed the game completely. He was absolutely amazing. You thought, ‘he will be in the team for the rest of the season.’
“Then he played the Dundee United game. Since then, he has come out. In that period, he has come out, and Engels has come back. I just don’t think there is a place for Hatate under O’Neill. I think there must be something else, an attitude thing.”
Ferry: “Somebody messaged me saying ‘he ran 2k less than everyone else in the Dundee United game.’ That was supposedly part of the reason.”
Halliday: “He will play against Rangers, though. Aye, he will come on against Rangers, won’t he?”
Slane: “You have seen how good he actually is vs Rangers. But I don’t think there is a place for him now, especially with Engels back.”
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