Reo Hatate has enjoyed plenty of games against Rangers in the heart of Celtic’s midfield.
Hatate really burst onto the scene as Celtic destroyed Rangers after he scored two goals in the iconic 3-0 Glasgow Derby win back in February 2022.
That victory took Celtic back to the top of the league and was a springboard to Ange Postecoglou’s immensely successful period as the Hoops boss.
However, that is not the game that makes Hatate look back fondly and smile after the Celtic midfielder revealed the win against Rangers that makes him ‘most happy’.
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Celtic’s League Cup final win vs Rangers makes Reo Hatate ‘happy’
Hatate has seven domestic winners medals at Celtic after winning the Scottish Premiership three times, the Scottish Cup twice and the Scottish League Cup twice.
Celtic have beaten Rangers in many high-profile victories during Hatate’s Hoops career but there is one standout memory that delights the Japanese midfielder.
Hatate told Celtic TV [2m 10s], “Especially so, I think the League Cup this season. We played against Rangers, 3 v 3 and I went to take a penalty.
“So it’s a hard game, and I played the full time. Yeah, it’s tough, the game, but we won the League Cup, so I’m happy, yeah, I’m most happy.”
Reo Hatate inflicts pain on Rangers with best two high-profile Celtic wins
Reo Hatate has faced Rangers 16 times as a Celtic player recording nine wins, three draws and just four defeats.
The Japanese midfielder has scored three goals and created two assists but, the League Cup final aside, there are two game Hatate has played against the Ibrox club that have caused Celtic’s rivals immense pain.
Celtic 3 v 0 Rangers: February 2022
Hatate was the star of the show as Celtic climbed to the top of the Scottish Premiership after losing the league title to Rangers the previous season.
It’s hard to believe that over three years ago this win started a chain of events that would lead to another treble, a double and then yet another domestic treble for Brendan Rodgers this season.
Celtic 1 v 0 Rangers: Scottish Cup Final May 2024
In what was Brendan Rodgers’ biggest game since returning to Celtic, the Hoops gaffer had the chance to finish the season as a double-winner and leave Rangers trophyless again.
Just as it looked like the game was heading to a 0-0 draw, Paulo Bernardo and Adam Idah stepped up to do this:
Celtic will be hoping to successfully defend the Scottish Cup by taking care of St Johnstone this weekend and the winners of the other semi-final between Hearts and Aberdeen.
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