Ange Postecoglou has given insight into one Celtic midfielder’s quest for improvement, even in the midst of a winning run of form.
The Celtic boss was left impressed by his team’s performance at the weekend after taking on critical feedback in the wake of a narrow win over Livingston last week.
And now he’s praised Reo Hatate for showing so much persistence in the quest to better himself and Celtic performances. Especially after performing in an unfamiliar role at right-back against St Johnstone.
As quoted by The Scottish Daily Mail [27/12 print edition, page 60], Postecoglou said: “He knows what it’s like to be a full-back because he finds himself in that position during games of football.
“It depends on individual players and Reo loves feedback. He is constantly seeking it. He’s knocking on Gavin Strachan’s door every day asking for analysis and feedback.
“There can be nothing to give him, but he still demands it because he’s that type of player. That’s why he keeps improving and will keep improving.
“I don’t think he is going to be a full-back, but the way we play, we could probably take one of our full-backs and put them into midfield and they would understand what to do because the way we play requires them to be in those areas.”
Hatate has proven to be one of Postecoglou’s most effective signings of his tenure so far and has pushed on to improve again this season after fitness issues last term.
Like most in the squad, he’s far from the finished article and can get even better in this team. Performances like Saturday’s really help solidify his importance to the Bhoys in the meantime.
It’s fantastic to hear he is so motivated at Lennoxtown and that bodes well for him maintaining league-leading form heading into the second half of the season.
In other news, Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley delivers honest verdict on criticism and missing out on World Cup.
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