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‘For a player I admire’: Chris Sutton critical of Celtic star Reo Hatate’s actions

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Chris Sutton has admitted that Reo Hatate dived during Celtic’s 3-1 win over Kilmarnock on Saturday.

When Celtic were 2-0 up, Reo Hatate ran at Kilmarnock’s defence and was surging down their left-hand side towards their penalty area whilst tussling with David Watson.

That’s when Celtic’s goalscorer on the day went to ground as he entered the penalty area, with the on-field referee awarding a penalty straightaway before VAR overturned it.

Bhoys legend Chris Sutton didn’t pull any punches and admitted that he was left disappointed by Reo Hatate’s dive because he is ‘a player I admire very much’, as he told Sky Sports Football (08/10/23 at 11:20 am).

It needs to be pointed out that there was contact on the Celtic man, it’s just a case of going to ground too easily.

That was touched upon by Chris Sutton when discussing Celtic registering another three points.

Celtic FC v Kilmarnock FC - Cinch Scottish Premiership
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Reo Hatate dive

“He should be booked for that, it’s a dive,” said Sutton. “Hatate should be booked. He’s initiated the contact and gone down.

“For a player who I admire very much, that’s really poor from Reo Hatate.”

Chris Sutton before Rangers v Celtic: Semi Final - Scottish Cup
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images

Reo Hatate’s form picking up

In the summer, there was a lot of talk about the Japan star’s future, with the 25-year-old starting the season in an indifferent manner.

But once Brendan Rodgers started Hatate on a regular basis, as well as signing a new contract, he is now starting to look like his old self again.

His goal against Kilmarnock was just simply wonderful and should already be a contender for Goal of the Season because it was pure individual quality.